Lockie Cup First round Saltash 51 Plymouth Civil Service 17

WHEN these two sides met in the Powergen Junior Vase some weeks ago, the Plymouth side inflicted a 24-7 defeat on Saltash. This time around, Saltash wiped out the memories of that painful performance with a solid and ruthless display. The home side were on the board from the start with a catch and drive from the kick off, which sent the ball along the back line to left wing Jason Carney, who glided effortlessly around his opposite number to go in from 50 yards and a 5-0 lead. Almost immediately, Civil Service came back at the hosts with some fine inter-play between forwards and back to send lock Dave Mulverhill over for a try, converted by Mike Coleman and a 7-5 lead. On 15 minutes, they went further in front as Saltash Hooker James Woodward was penalised for stamping and Coleman added another three for a 10-5 lead. As the half progressed, Saltash began to get on top, and on 35 minutes a penalty was awarded on the five-metre line for offside and fly half Simon Watson took a quick tap and was over the line for a try, converted by full back Nigel Owen for a 12-10 half-time lead. Immediately at the turn around, Carney went over again for a carbon copy score of his first half effort for a try and a 17-10 lead. The Saltash pressure mounted as full back Owen capped a fine kicking display with five consecutive penalties, one from the half- way line, to build the score up to 32-10. There were further tries added through prodigal No 8 Peter Congo, returning after a year out. A catch and drive from a line out close to the Civil Service line saw impressive lock Kelvin Webb at the back of the maul to dive over for his first try of the season. With Owen converting Congos try, the score raced up to 44-10 Civil came back at the Ashes with a consolation try from scrum half Gerry Brown, who converted to reduce the arrears to 44-17. The last effort came from scrum half Rupert Allen, whose confidence was sky high after he dived on a loose ball to get up and sprint in from 60 yards, outpacing several defenders along the way. Owen added the extra two for a 51-17 final scoreline and Saltash are in the hat for the next round. Civil Service go into the RNEC Cup, having been defeated by last season's RNEC winners.