A BATTERED and bruised Saltash first XV, missing several players due to injury, secured a bonus-point 43-13 victory and, with it, the Tribute Cornwall One title in a strong performance at Bodmin.

The hosts were the better side during the opening exchanges, although it was the Ashes who established a 5-0 lead through a try from centre Jason Carroll.

Bodmin gained reward for their endeavours with a try and penalty from fly-half Scott Helgeson to take an 8-5 lead.

Their advantage was short-lived, though, as the visitors scored further tries through Steve Hillman and Rich Skinnard, with full-back Ben Tolan adding a conversion for a 17-8 half-time lead.

At the turnaround, the guests upped the ante and grabbed tries out wide, with Skinnard adding a second and right-wing Will Morton going over for a second-half double.

Tolan scored the final try, as well as three conversions, to clinch the League crown.

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