Tribute CORNWALL & DEVON

Falmouth 5 Saltash 33

On a blustery day in West Cornwall, Saltash took some time to adjust to the conditions before taking control of a game that could have easily got away from them as the home side got stuck in from the word go.

Saltash, playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, kicked off and were under the cosh but weathered an early storm to clear their lines.

After 11 minutes and a lively start from the home side, a well-worked break up the right from wing Will Morton put lock Tom Rixson into space to canter in for a try under the sticks, converted by fullback Venables for a 7-0 lead.

Saltash were working their way into the game and on 17 minutes a break from number 8 Steve Hillman saw centre Jason Carroll charge over on the right hand side to extend the lead to 12-0.

The home side rallied and kept the visitors at bay until the 38th minute when, from an under pressure scrum, a clinical move close in put flyhalf Todd Croft clear under the uprights for a try, converted by Venables for a 19-0 half-time score.

From the kick-off, a Falmouth comeback looked possible with a break deep up the Saltash right touchline from the home winger.

Ashes blushes were saved by a try-saving tackle from fly half Croft to give the visitors a workmanlike 19-0 at half-time.

The home side came out with renewed vigor in the sceond half and flanker Tom David went over for a try.

They clung to possession through a lot of the second half but, with the wind over their shoulders, Saltash scored in the 44th minute against the run of play with a break away from Croft to put right wing Willy Morton clear for the try, converted by Venables for a 26-5 lead.

And the visitors finished off the scoring to put Venables clear to score and convert taking the final score to 33-5.