Withycombe, relegated from Western Counties West last season, will feel disappointed at the result, having been in front since the fifth minute, only for the home side to level the scores in the last minute. 

In the early stages they were all over Saltash, with a stronger scrum exerting the pressure needed.

No.8 Jamie Rose picked up and was driven over for the first try of the match, converted by fly-half Paddy Shaw, for a 7-0 lead.

The home side clawed their way back into the match in the 17th minute with a penalty from scrum- half Nick Blake to close the gap to 7-3.

This spurred Saltash on, as they played with more conviction and produced some positive rugby to stay in contention right up until the break.

Blake added a further penalty in the 43rd minute to close the gap to 7-6, which was shortlived, as more Saltash flare saw a back-line move upfield, with the final pass being intercepted by Withies winger Ben Mardell, who sprinted clear to go under the sticks for a try, converted by Shaw, to go 14-6 ahead.

Saltash hung on and in the 62nd minute, Blake added another penalty to reduce the deficit to 14-9, and with the visitors piling on the pressure, their strong scrum took control and provided the space to send centre Neil Williams over for a try, converted by Shaw, for a 21-9 lead with 13 minutes remaining, and Withies looked good for the league points.

The home side had other ideas, though, and they clawed their way back with some good play, direct running and good re-cycling to put Blake clear on halfway in the 72nd minute to run in a try out on the right, which he converted himself for a 16-21 score to set up a tense finale. 

From the re-start, Saltash sensed they had a chance and some further good recycling got them close to the visitors' line, only for them to be pegged back by good Withycombe defence.

The home side came back again, and with just moments left, a series of rucks up the left of the pitch saw the ball go to the Saltash backs, who capped a good performance to send right winger Kieran Hurrell in for a try to level the scores at

21-21 with the kick to come.

Unfortunately, the kick fell short, and for the home side, a likely loss for most of the match became a share of the points, giving a surprisingly noisy home crowd something to cheer at Moorlands Lane.

Saltash face a difficult trip tomorrow to Teignmouth, who won 27-10 at Roseland, who narrowly beat the Ashes at Moorlands Lane on the opening day of the season.