SALTASH will be aiming to move another step closer to Twickenham on Saturday when they travel to Gloucestershire side Old Patesians in the quarter-finals of the Papa Johns Community Cup.
The Ashes clearly had this weekend’s game on their mind when they fielded a much-changed side for Wednesday’s Lockie Cup final against Devonport Services II.
However, despite a make-shift backline, Saltash had their chances in the Plymouth Combination cup in an entertaining contest before losing 40-29 at Brickfields.
Head coach Steve Down admitted his side, who were carrying a number of injuries, could have really done without Wednesday’s final having played a tough match against Gordon League last weekend and with Old Patesians on Saturday.
“We knew we couldn’t put out a strong team and we knew that they were going to,” said Down.
“In hindsight we maybe should have let OPMs have the final because we are struggling with so many injuries and preparing for Saturday, but we fulfilled the fixture for the occasion.
“And we did all right considering. The backline was very different to what we would normally put out and they don’t normally play together. Max (Venables) came out of retirement to help us out.
“But I think it could have gone either way and maybe we didn’t get the rub of the green from the ref.
“However, I think what was interesting is we saw the lads under pressure, which we don’t see very often so I learned a few things and that will help us going into Saturday.”
Saltash have been boosted ahead of this weekend’s trip to Gloucestershire with backs Will Morton, Greg Eatwell, Jason Carroll and Jay Moriarty all been passed fit to start, but Danny Snook is still out.
Forwards Tom Rixson, Simon Nance, Lewis Wells and Liall Honey also return to the starting line-up following Wednesday’s game.
Former National League side Old Pats, who just two years ago were in Devonport Services’ division, finished runners-up in Counties Two Gloucestershire North.
Like Saltash, they only lost two league games all season and have an impressive home record.
“I think they came second in the league to Gordon League,” said Down. “It is going to be a good challenge, but we are up for it.”
He added: “We played quite well to turn over Gordon League. They were not a bad side. They won their league and won their play-off to go up so they were no slouches.”
A number of Saltash’s team have already played at Twickenham after they reached the Senior Vase final in 2018.
They would love to return to English rugby’s HQ but if they do not make it then they will still have another cup final to look forward to as if they don’t make the Papa Johns final then they will play in the Cornwall Clubs’ Cup final against Perranporth.
“Illogan gave us a bye in the semi-final so if we aren’t successful in the Papa Johns Cup then we will be able to contest the Cornwall Cup,” said Down.
“The Cornwall Cup final is on the same day as the Twickenham final, so we wouldn’t be able to contest both. We will be in a final, which just don’t know which one yet.
“Obviously, we would love to be at Twickenham again and be in that final, but if we do drop out of that competition we can then lick our wounds as the Cornwall Cup isn’t until May 11, so that gives us a bit of time to prepare the injured bodies to go again.”
Saltash’s resources this weekend are particularly pushed as their second team are in the Senior Duchy Shield final against Launceston II at Falmouth.
“We are fighting on two fronts this weekend and we are just a bit light in the backs,” said Down.
But it does give Saltash a chance to promote a few of their successful colts side into their second team.