Success at Saltash

Crafted by Steve Murley
Photo courtesy of England Rugby

In a fascinating encounter at Moorlands Lane, Saints maintained their winning start to the season overcoming a plucky Saltash team 17-32

With Saints winning their first 2 games while Ashes lost their first 2 fixtures, it may have seemed as if this result was a foregone conclusion but the game itself was hugely enjoyable and another valuable learning experience for this fast improving young Saints side.

Saints kicked off against the wind and were soon into their stride, sending waves of powerful runners led by Adam Kellow, Andy Inch and Miles Davey deep into the heart of the Ashes defence. The home side were struggling to keep a clean scoreboard and after a series of forward carries to tie in the home defence, the ball was spun wide left where Max Bullen continued his good form to dive over in the corner. 9 mins Ashes 0 - Saints 5.

From the restart Saints once again retained possession and with scrum half CJ Boyce probing and testing the opposition around the edges, they built pressure time and again. Ashes continued to work hard and just managed to turn ball over or capitalise on a Saints error to clear their lines or launch a sortie into Saints territory. Saints were not to be denied and when Ashes infringed close to their 22, Chris Ashwin stepped up and slotted the penalty. 20 mins Ashes 0 – Saints 8.

Five minutes later and it was the turn of the Saints to fall foul of the referee with a high tackle and home Scrum Half Kieran Down kicked the 3 points to get the home team started. 25 mins Ashes 3 – Saints 8.

The Saints re-grouped and the last 15 minutes of this half saw the them pile on the pressure, take complete control and add 17 unanswered points with three completely different tries.

A sustained period of Saints pressure saw the forwards batter the Ashes line before Fly Half Ashwin darted to the blind side where he forced his way over the line. 30 mins Ashes 3 – Saints 13.

The next try summed up the ambitions of this exciting side. After the forwards turned over an Ashes attack, Max Bullen set off down the left wing flinging an infield pass to the supporting Ben Plummer who himself took the ball forward before finding Sam Parson running a superb line inside him to score close to the posts. Ashwin slotted the extras 36 mins Ashes 3 – Saints 20.

Finally from a penalty just inside the opposition 22, CJ Boyce took a quick tap-and-go to take the Saints to a well deserved 3 – 25 half time lead.

If the Saints thought they would continue the second half in similar fashion the Ashes thought differently. Taking the ball forward more in the forwards to commit the Saints up front before trying to get the ball wide the Saints defence were now being tested to the maximum. If the backs had been the starts of the first half the forward began to sparkle in the tight exchanges. Cam Taylor, Tony Knight and Mike Shakespear showed up well while skipper Davy demonstrated once again what a fine tackler and leader he is.

While enjoying more territory, Ashes still struggled to get over the line until after 50 minutes winger Will Morton was on the end of a good backs move to score out wide left, with Kieran Down converting 50 mins Ashes 10 – Saints 25.

This half was now far more even than the first half but Saints still looked the more dangerous side despite several thrusts by Ashes. Henry Welch showed what a fine defender he is as he put a thundering halt to a tremendous line break by Will Morton. While veteran Adam Kellow sprayed a Sonny-Bill Like pass to Sam Parsons who fed Max Bullen only to see his kick and chase just roll over the dead ball line.

Fly half Ashwin brought another phase of Ashes pressure to an end near the 70 minute mark with a brilliant clearance from a scrum taking play up to Ashes 22. Here the big men once again sprinkled a little bit of magic on proceedings. Mark Vian, an increasingly influential figure rose high on the Ashes throw to get fingers to the ball and divert it onto the Saints side. The forwards drove it up and live wire CJ Boyce spied a gap on the blind side to dart over. Ashwin converted the most difficult kick of the match from wide out to make the score after 74 minutes Ashes 10 – Saints 32.

Great credit to Ashes who once again fought back, a half chance fell to wing Morton who shrugged off some less than convincing tackles to score under the sticks with Down converting. 80 mins Ashes 17 – Saints 32

A convincing win and there is no doubt that Saints were very good value for the full 5 points. Ashes can console themselves with the thought that their season will improve once they manage to stitch together lengthier periods of possession. Saints would have been pleased to continue their high tempo attacking game and score some cracking tries at a ground where we have traditionally struggled.

All eyes now turn to the next game away to Wivelscombe. Traditionally they have been more of a force at home and this long trip will no doubt be a tricky encounter. With the league season now in full swing “there are no easy games” may be a cliché but it is also undeniably true. Saints will be looking forward to testing themselves on the road.

Parish Notices

RWC Big Breakfast #1 - we open at 0815 on Saturday 22nd Sept to serve breakfast then it’s Scot v Ireland at 0845. Straight after it’s England v Tonga at 1115. The U16’s are playing Camborne on P1 at 1000 as well! Details HERE

RWC Big Breakfast #2 - you can watch Japan v Ireland, get a good breakfast and jump on the Saints team bus to Wiveliscombe for just £12 all in! You can also just watch the Japan game and have breakfast or not...choice is yours! Details HERE