Ashes off the mark after impressive away success at Torquay Athletic

THE Ashes picked up their first win of the season with a superb success on the English Riviera on Saturday.

Saltash had been edged out on home turf by St Ives and Paignton in the previous fortnight and had to do without No.8 Steve Hillman and lock James Sutton, both injured from last weekend as Laurie Thomson and Billy Garratt came in.

Torquay have started the season well and took the lead after eight minutes with a converted try in the left corner.

However, almost immediately momentum swung in the Ashes’ favour with three brilliant tries. The first was a from a classic winger’s break by Jay Moriarty, before a burst through the middle from seven metres saw hooker Fin Jones dot down between the posts.

At 14-7 the next try was crucial and it arrived as sheer hard work from prop Liall Honey saw him go over as scrum-half Jack Pritchard made it three from three off the tee.

The Tics pulled one back two minutes before the break following some good forwards play, but Saltash’s 14-point cushion was restored five minutes after the restart via Moriarty’s second of the afternoon that Pritchard again added to.

Saltash spent the next 20 minutes on top, but had just a Pritchard penalty to show for their efforts.

However, the final quarter-hour saw the Devonians dominate and two converted tries in four minutes, the second eight minutes from time, ensured a thrilling finale.

But Saltash’s defence held out superbly under immense pressure to send five points back to South East Cornwall.

SALTASH: Ryan Cruickshanks; Henry Taylor, Greg Eatwell, Andrew Walsh, Jay Moriarty; Billy Dover, Jack Pritchard; Simon Nance, Fin Jones, Liall Honey; Thomas Hoban, Billy Garratt; Charlie Knight, Laurie Thomson, Phil Eatwell (capt). Replacements: Ryan Simmons, Danny Snook, George Howlett.

Tries: Moriarty (2), Jones, Honey; Convs: Pritchard (4); Pens: Pritchard.

Ashes’ man-of-the-match: Billy Dover.