A dry blustery afternoon on a dry track was a recipe for an open expansive game and this league tie didnt disappoint.

For Ashes it was deja vu with another try scoring losing bonus and for the visitors it was a case of getting out of jail.

The South Devon team were on the board first with a converted try after 6 minutes, countered by a penalty goal from Ashes scrum half Jack Pritchard for a 7-3 deficit after 10 minutes.

Saltash hit the front in the 12th minute with a well taken try from fly half Bill Dover, who gathered his own grubber to go over under the posts for a try, converted by Pritchard for a 10-7 lead, which didnt last long as Paignton hit back with 2 tries to lead 17-10 after 20 minutes.

Saltash were back in front on the half hour thanks to a Pritchard penalty and a conversion of a well worked first try of the match for centre Andy Walsh for a 20-17 lead. Then, with nothing on, young wing Henry Taylor gathered a ball in his own half, then went off on a mazey run to beat a number of tackles and go under the posts for a subline try, converted by Pritchard for a 27-17 lead at the break.

At the turnaround Pritchard extended e lead with a penalty, then the Devon side scored an easy try to close the gap before Ashes flanker Charlie Knight charg down a kick to score a try for a 35-22 lead.

The Visitors upped a gear and scored a converted try and a penalty try to nudge themselves in front at 36-35.

They extended their lead with a further converted try before the home side, who lost number 8 Steve Hillman to a head injury in his 250th game gave themselves a chance with a sublime try from Walsh, converted by Pritchard to get the home side within a point.

Saltash had chances to take the win with some tough penalty attempts and again, couldnt get over the line.
For Paignton, the 43-42 score saw them survive a physical encounter.

Nick Rich. Saltash Rugby