SALTASH are just one game away from a return to Twickenham after they beat former National League side Old Patesians 36-28 after extra-time in an extraordinary game in Cheltenham.

The Ashes trailed 22-8 at one point in the Papa Johns Community Cup tie and were also three points behind with just two minutes to go.

But a late penalty by Lewis Stuart took the game into extra-time, where Saltash, despite playing their third match in seven days, pulled away to claim victory and a spot in the national semi-finals.

They are now set to host London side Old Rutlishians at home next Saturday with the winners going through to the Counties Two Championship final at Twickenham. Surrey champions Old Ruts booked their place in the last four by hammering Reading Abbey 78-14.

Saltash, who had played Devonport Services II in the Lockie Cup final on Wednesday, took the lead in Gloucestershire with a penalty by Ryan Cruickshanks after just five minutes.

But Old Pats then started to get a grip and their quick handling earned them a try on the right wing after 16 minutes and a penalty soon afterwards put them into a 8-3 lead.

More home pressure and a try from a cross-kick increased their advantage to 15-3.

Saltash, who played at Twickenham in 2018, were finding it hard to contain the home side, but they fought back and following a scrum close to the home line Greg Eatwell got hold of a loose ball and touched down in the corner on the half-hour.

Two minutes later the home side went further ahead with a well-worked try on the left wing which was converted after the ball hit the crossbar. That made it 22-8 to the hosts, who were looking in control.

However, the Ashes struck back when Will Morton went over with a try in the last minute of the half to reduce the gap to 22-13.

Too many mistakes and poor kicking decisions by the Ashes were giving the home side the advantage.

The second period began with a much more determined Saltash and a good forward drive enabled Devon Bennett-Murray to crash over the line within five minutes.

Yet a penalty in front of the posts by Old Pats put them 25-18 ahead.

Saltash, though, were now playing well and after 58 minutes Phil Eatwell raced over on the left wing for a try which Stuart converted to level the game at 25-25.

Old Pats still looked dangerous when attacking with their strong running and another penalty after 63 minutes edged them back in front.

The Ashes were now putting great pressure and effort into their game and were rewarded when Stuart equalised two minutes from the end to take the game into extra-time.

Saltash were giving the Old Patesians fewer chances with their excellent defending and determination and Greg Eatwell eventually touched down to give them the lead after 87 minutes.

A Stuart penalty in the second half of extra- time gave them an eight-point cushion which they were able to hold until the final whistle.

But there was disappointment for a young Saltash second team who were beaten 64-10 by Launceston II at Falmouth in the final of the Duchy Senior Shield.

There was also a cup final defeat for Devonport Services III, who lost 27-13 away to their Barnstaple counterparts in the Devon David Butt Trophy.

The home side went 10-0 ahead, but Services III hit back with a try by Ciaran Poat, which Leighton Stark converted.

Stark then kicked a penalty to level the game at 10-10, but Barnstaple scored from a catch-and-drive move to restore their lead.

The visitors ended up picking up two yellow cards just before half-time, with Stark and Sam Winfield getting 10 minutes in the sin-bin, and Barnstaple’s pack then scored another try to give them a 20-10 lead at the break.

The second half was quite even. Stark reduced the gap with a penalty, but Barnstaple III wrapped up the win with a try in injury-time.