COUNTIES ONE WESTERN WEST

Saltash 30 St Ives 33

SALTASH’S habit of losing close contests came back to bite them again on Saturday as old rivals St Ives edged a classic contest in front of a large crowd at Moorlands Lane on Saturday, writes Nick Rich.

The Ashes, who also held their Vice Presidents Day, had made much-fancied Camborne Seconds work extremely hard the week before in their season opener, and head coach Craig Jones made just one change to the starting XV as unavailable fly-half Dylan Davies was replaced by Andrew Walsh. He started at inside-centre with Billy Dover moving into the 10 shirt.

In perfect conditions for rugby, the home side took the lead when hooker Fin Jones dived over for the try, converted by scrum-half Jack Pritchard.

The new-look Saltash side got into their stride and a free-flowing move put veteran winger Jay Moriarty over with Pritchard adding the extras.

However, before the break it was all St Ives as they added a well-taken try and two penalties to reduce the arrears to just three at 14-11.

The home side nudged themselves ahead further with Moriarty crossing once more for 19-11, before a purple patch for the visitors saw the Hakes add 19 unanswered points which included three tries.

With a quarter of the game remaining it was all to play for as the hosts edged closer with two penalties from Pritchard, followed by a try from excellent prop Liall Honey.

However, St Ives added a penalty to regain their lead at 33-30, and despite the visitors ending with 13 men, Saltash couldn’t quite get over the line to seal a win.

SALTASH: Cruickshanks; Taylor, G Eatwell, Walsh, Moriarty; Dover, Pritchard; Nance, Jones, Honey; Sutton, Hoban; Thomson, P Eatwell (capt), Hillman. Replacements: Garratt, Richardson, Britland.

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

Ashes’ man-of-the-match: Liall Honey.