DEVONPORT Services II have a great chance of finishing as runners-up in Counties Two Devon after a convincing 48-14 victory over fourth-placed Exeter Saracens at Keyham on Saturday.
The win has moved Services II 15 points clear of third-placed Honiton, although the east Devon side do have a game in hand and still have to host Devonport.
Mathematically it is still possible for Services’ second string to win the title, but unbeaten leaders Torquay, who have a maximum 90 points from 90 after 18 games, would need to drop 12 points from their final four matches and Devonport would need to win all theirs.
Whatever happens, Services II have got more points already than last season, when they finished third behind Barnstaple II and Torquay.
And player-coach Tom Richards was really pleased with their performance on Saturday against Exeter Saracens.
“It was a good game for us,” said Richards.
“To be fair, Exeter Saracens came out of the traps looking quite strong. They had a young backline and were quite attacking, but we got a bit of a breakaway try against the run of play and then we didn’t really stop from there. We just went full throttle and away we went.
“We do have some young players coming through the ranks and we are looking good at the moment.”
Although their side had plenty of youth in it, Services’ line-up also included forwards Mark Friend and Andy Pond, who were making their returns from injury.
It was only Friend’s second match of the season after spending nearly all the campaign on the side lines with a knee injury.
“They (Friend and Pond) were both touch-and-go throughout the week, but it was really good to have those boys step into the side and put in performances after coming back from injury,” said Richards.
Services II did the damage in the first half as they stormed into a 38-7 lead.
Sam Fincham got them underway before Ethan Hillard, Luke Stannard, Hayden Thomas, Matt Neyle and Manasa Tamanikairukuiovalau also touched down before the break.
Tamanikairukuiovalau and Tom Richards added further tries after the interval, with Leighton Stark kicking the rest of the points.
The only downside for Services was a fractured wrist suffered by hooker Josh Martin.
In Counties One Western West, Tavistock’s poor season continued as they were beaten 67-0 away at fifth-placed Redruth II.
With four games to go, it is looking increasingly likely that Tavistock will finish second from bottom.
They are eight points behind third-from-bottom Penryn and 12 clear of basement side Bideford.
On Saturday’s game at Redruth II, Tavistock’s player-coach Hammy Kerswill said: “We lost to a youthful and well drilled side.
“We started well in the first 15 minutes but any ball they got they capitalised on and were really clinical.
“But it was nice to welcome back Toby Teague and Will White, who both put in good shifts, and we were hugely thankful to Rob Hockin who came out of retirement to travel.
“We looked okay in periods with the ball, but without it they just picked us off one by one. Fair play to them, for playing what’s in front of them and capitalising. They are a good outfit and a good club.”
In cup rugby, Old Techs’ Devon Junior Cup semi-final away at Exeter Athletic was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, while Saltash reached the Plymouth Combination Lockie Cup final for the second year running.
The Ashes were drawn against Plymouth Argaum, who were struggling for players for the cup tie and so handed them the walkover before kick-off so that they could play a friendly with some guest players, including some from Saltash.
Counties Two Cornwall runaway leaders Saltash won the ‘friendly’ match at Moorlands Lane 90-0.
The Ashes once again showed how clinical they can be and how quickly they can turn defence into attack.
The makeshift Argaum side probably had more territory and possession in the first half but found themselves 45-0 down at the change of ends. And the home side then added another 45 points in the second period.
Back-row forward Finley Jones, making his 50th appearance for Saltash, got the home side underway with a catch-and-drive try in the opening five minutes.
Backs Will Morton, James Moriarty and Ryan Cruickshanks all showed their speed to add further tries, which were all converted by Jack Pritchard to make it 28-0.
Phil Eatwell then scored a catch-and-drive effort before Morton scored his second and then Ryan Rayner scored from the next restart.
Straight after half-time, Lewis Wells burst through to score under the posts before hooker Rob Walsh scored an interception try.
Morton then claimed his hat-trick before James Sutton, Cruickshanks and Charlie Knight added further touch-downs.
The final word went to winger Morton, who scored a long-range effort with the last play of the game.
A big plus for Saltash was the return of lock Lewis Woolaway, who had a run-out for Argaum after coming back from a serious leg injury.
Saltash’s Steve Hall said: “We had a few boys playing for them, which was quite good as it meant we got to look at quite a few players.
“To be fair, Argaum tested us a bit there. They had two 20-minute periods when they were camped in our half.
“The first half we weren’t overly impressed with as it was a bit too much individually, but second half we looked good and started to play patterns and scored some good training paddock tries.”
Argaum’s head coach Dean Avery added: “We were looking all week as to whether or not we could fulfil the fixture. We were missing quite a few boys, but they lent us a couple and we did get a game on.
“Coming over and playing a game was the right thing to do and we thank Saltash for giving us some players.
“It was also an opportunity for some of our players to get some game-time and it was a learning curve for them.
“Saltash are doing well in their league and I’m sure they will go on and do well in the final.”
In a friendly at St Mary’s Field, Plympton Victoria’s second team came from 12-0 down at half-time to beat neighbours OPM Jesters 20-12.
“It was a bit of a tail of two halves,” said Plym Vic chairman Chris Hunt, who started the match.
“They had a pretty strong first half, but we just pipped it in the second half as we had a few more players on the bench.
“It was a great effort from the lads. They showed a bit of commitment with the numbers for a second team friendly.”
Dan Bulley, Lewis Jeffery and Jason Cleverly scored tries for Plym Vic, with Ollie Pile adding a conversion and Jordan Blair a penalty.
Pictures are low resolution and are protected by copyright so should not be used without permission.