SALTASH booked their place in the semi-finals of the Lockie Cup with a 69-17 win over Devon Two side OPMs at Moorlands Lane on Sunday.

The Cornwall/Devon League title-chasers were always favourites to progress against a team two divisions lower than them. However, OPMs more than did themselves justice and managed to score three tries against a strong Ashes side.

Saltash’s league match at Bude the day before had been postponed and so they were able to field a strong side against the Old Boys.

Cornwall flanker Lewis Wells gave the hosts an early lead with a well-taken try before his back-row colleague Steve Hillman crossed for another try on eight minutes.

But OPMs then started to frustrated their highly league opponents. However, Saltash have a habit of scoring quick-fire tries and they did just that before half-time, with three coming within a matter of minutes courtesy of two from James Moriaty and one from opposite wing Will Morton.

That put Saltash 31-0 up but OPMs, showing plenty of spirit, reduced the gap on the stroke of the interval when Billy Garrett powered over and Sammie Matts added the conversion.

The Old Boys cut the deficit to 31-12 immediately after the interval when Shaun Grundy crossed.

Cornwall winger Morton, though, responded with another one for Saltash.

Grundy then scored a great second try for OPMs to make it 31-17, but suddenly the Ashes found another gear as the visitors tired.

Morton and Wells completed hat-tricks, while fly-half Nick Blake and Adam Coutts also crossed to seal the win for Saltash, who will now face league rivals Plymstock Albion Oaks in the semi-finals.