Saltash v Withycombe

Withycombe Rise From The Ashes

Saltash 19

Withycombe 24

Withycombe got their season back on track with a smart display of rugby in their last visit to Cornwall this season.

Saltash stole an early lead after Withycombe blew an overlap and threw an interception that was returned for a try at the other end. A Glenn Channing penalty was their only reward for their early spells of pressure. Saltash then set up camp in the visitors' 22, only to be denied time and again by the Withycombe defence, and by a forward pass which would otherwise have allowed them to score in the corner.

Withycombe's scrum dominated the tight exchanges, and this was never more evident than when a second successive maul was pulled down in the Saltash 22, the referee awarding a penalty try as reward for Withycombe's workmanlike efforts. Channing slotted the conversion to make the halftime lead 10-7.

The second half was nip & tuck, though Withycombe will feel they created the better of the chances. The slippery conditions and the fact that this was both sides' first game in four weeks perhaps contributing to a game which was played with lots of attacking intent, but lacking the finishing edge. Appropriately, Ashes captain Max Venables kept the ball in hand to score the try that would put the hosts back in front, ghosting through the Withy defence and outpacing the cover from a scrum.

Withycombe hit back through the returning Adam Morris, who intercepted a dangerous-looking pass from Venables to redress the balance of tries scored from interceptions. Though Morris couldn't find his way to the posts, Channing kicked the tricky wide out conversion to make it 17-12.

Aaron Conway almost scored the try of the day; he returned a clearing kick, chipped ahead himself and got over the line, only to drop the ball before being able to ground it. Withycombe scored soon after as a turnover from Ashes' desire to attack from deep led to Dan James making the decisive pick and go. Channing's conversion put Withycombe firmly in the driving seat.

Saltash put themselves back in the game after repeated pressure in the Withycombe 22 ended with Liam Cullen in the sin bin and a try under the posts. They wouldn't threaten the Withycombe line again though, and Withycombe in fact spurned a try bonus point with the last play of the game. A win in Cornwall with the first game after Christmas is not to be sniffed at, though. Withycombe welcome Hayle to Raleigh Park next week looking to build on this performance.