COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST

Saltash 21 Devonport Services Seconds 12

SALTASH secured their first home win of the season on Saturday as they saw off promoted Devonport Services Seconds in a closely-fought local derby at OMG Moorlands Lane.

The Ashes, who saw George Howlett and Danny Snook come into the starting line-up for Charlie Knight (injured) and Andrew Walsh (unavailable), were on the back foot early on in the rain.

It wasn’t until the 29th minute that the scoreboard was troubled when scrum-half Jack Pritchard kicked a penalty to nudge the Cornishmen in front, which they extended almost immediately when full-back Henry Taylor pounced on a loose ball to go over for an unconverted try and a 8-0 lead.

The visitors responded with a converted score from hooker Ethan Hilland in the 35th minute, but the home side increased the lead back to eight before the break with a penalty try after Greg Eatwell was on the wrong end of an illegal tackle as he looked to score.

The second half was a more open affair, although Saltash paid for unfortunate injuries to concede a number of scrums to a more physical Services scrum.

Saltash, who are now sixth, are learning how to manage games more effectively, and extended the lead in the 47th minute with a further Pritchard penalty.

That was countered by a well-taken try from centre Ewan Piercy to close the gap at 18-12 just after the hour, before Pritchard’s third penalty of the afternoon saw the lead to 21-12, which was how it stayed despite a couple of missed kicks from the scrum-half.

SALTASH: Henry Taylor; Ryan Cruickshanks, Greg Eatwell, Danny Snook, Jay Moriarty; Billy Dover, Jack Pritchard; Simon Nance, Fin Jones, Harry Richardson; Thomas Hoban, James Sutton; George Howlett, Laurie Thomson, Phil Eatwell. Replacements: Archie Wood, Billy Garratt, Steve Hillman.

Tries: Taylor, penalty try; Convs: N/A; Pens: Pritchard (3).

Ashes’ man-of-the-match: Ryan Cruickshanks.