SALTASH produced a strong second half showing to reach the Lockie Cup final by beating OPMs 34-5 at a wet and windy Ivybridge on Wednesday night.
The Old Boys, with their scrum impressing early on, were in the game until half-time, but the Ashes turned on the style after the interval to out-score their Counties Two Devon opponents by six tries to one, with Will Morton bagging a hat-trick.
Saltash will now play Devonport Services II in the final at Brickfields on April 24.
“They (OPMs) were very strong up front to start with,” said Saltash head coach Steve Down. “Their scrum was really, really powerful, but as we expected, it did tire and we managed to nullify that.
“We got into a bit of a physical battle and a bit of kicking tennis for territory gain, but what I did like was the way we controlled the game in the first half even though we weren’t getting the breaks and gain-line success. And although they had a really good scrum, they didn’t really get a lot from it as we kept them pinned.
“So, I was pleased with that and then the response from the half-time team talk was really good.
“We just simplified our game a little bit and got over the gain-line and some quick ball and we started to get some success.”
OPMs captain Billy Garratt said: “We stayed in the fight and it was a decent first half from us.
“I think a lot of confidence has come from that game as they have been absolutely smashing people in their league and they are a good side.”
The Ashes took the lead in the seventh minute when Morton scored from a chip kick over the top.
He then doubled the Cornish club’s score on 27 minutes.
But OPMs hit back and closed the gap to 10-5 before half-time with a try from hooker George Harding following a good maul.
However, the Ashes really came out firing for the second period and they moved 17-5 in front when Lewis Stuart scored in the left corner after Saltash had stolen an OPMs line-out. Danny Snook added the conversion.
And it got better for them in the 55th minute when Phil Eatwell crossed from close range.
That was quickly followed by another from Stuart after some great play across the line by the Ashes.
The final word did go to Morton, who completed his hat-trick with a fine try in the right corner after Ryan Cruickshanks had made a good break.
OPMs will now turn their attentions to playing Exeter Saracens this weekend in a Devon cup match.
Saltash should have been playing Warminster away in the Papa Johns Community Cup, but the Wiltshire side have handed them the walkover.
