More late heartache for Ashes as they lose in North Devon

THE Ashes fell agonisingly short for the second successive week with another game that just got away from them.

The Cornish side headed up to North Devon with some changes from their narrow defeat to visiting Truro as Harry Richardson, James Sutton and Andrew Walsh came into the starting line-up for the unavailable trio of Liall Honey, Billy Garratt and Danny Snook, while Axel Nicks and Colt Archie Wood, the latter on his first team debut, were named amongst the replacements.

Saltash opened the scoring with a try that came from a line-out off the top and through the middle channel for outside-centre Greg Eatwell to go over. Scrum-half Jack Pritchard added the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Barum hit back with two tries by the midway point of the first half via Brendan Darley and Jack Barrow, with one converted to take a 12-7 lead, which they extended on the 24th minute with a further converted score from Darcy Barker while the Ashes had fly-half Billy Dover in the sin-bin.

Once restored to their full complement, the Ashes upped a gear and scored a well-worked try through full-back Henry Taylor with Pritchard adding the extras to close the gap to five.

The hosts went over a fourth time just before half-time via Barker, but again were soon pegged back by an effort from replacement flanker George Howlett. Pritchard’s boot continued to be on song.

Both team attacked at every opportunity, and although Barnstaple went over for a fifth try through Fin Bodey, Ryan Cruickshanks, having switched places with Taylor to the right-wing, dotted down as Pritchard again kept up his 100% record off the tee for the day to make it 31-28.

Heading into the final 20 minutes all results were possible, but try as they might, Saltash were unable to get back-to-back scores as again the Devonians grabbed the next try through Brendan Darley.

Back came the Ashes once more with Taylor going over after a run in down the left, but Pritchard’s conversion hit the uprights before bouncing away to leave them with a five-point buffer to make up.

However, they reduced that two as Pritchard slotted over a 71st minute penalty to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Saltash kept piling forward and earned themselves one more chance with the last play. The Ashes ran a tapped penalty from the halfway line, and the ball went wide to Cruickshanks who was held up on the line to deny the Cornishmen a second win of the season.

Despite a fifth defeat from six starts for Saltash, they continue to pick up points with another two added to the tally, while there were plenty of positives.

Young prop Archie Wood impressed on his debut off the bench as did Howlett when he came on, while youngster Taylor, switched to full-back for the first time, was mightily impressive and helped himself to a brace of tries.

A crucial home clash with promoted Devonport Services Seconds awaits on Saturday (2.30pm).

SALTASH: Henry Taylor; Ryan Cruickshanks, Greg Eatwell, Andrew Walsh, Jay Moriarty; Billy Dover, Jack Pritchard; Simon Nance, Fin Jones, Harry Richardson; Thomas Hoban, James Sutton; Charlie Knight, Laurie Thomson, Phil Eatwell (capt). Subs: Axel Nicks, Archie Wood, George Howlett.

Tries: G Eatwell, Taylor (2), Howlett, Cruickshanks; Convs: Pritchard (4); Pens: Pritchard.

Ashes’ man-of-the-match: Henry Taylor.