SALTASH find themselves just one game away from Twickenham after edging out Gloucestershire side Frampton Cotterell 29-22 at Moorlands Lane on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the Papa Johns Cup.
The Ashes, playing their third tough game within the space of seven days, needed a late converted try by captain James Moriarty to seal the win.
They will now play former National League side Old Elthamians at home in the semi-finals of the Counties Two Championship competition next Saturday.
Old Elthamians convincingly won Counties Two Kent and beat Saracens Amateurs 52-10 in their quarter-final.
Saltash’s director of rugby Steve Down admitted his team did find it hard on Saturday after playing Midsomer Norton the previous weekend and then playing Devonport Services II on the Wednesday night in the final of the Plymouth Combination Lockie Cup, which they won 39-0.
“The boys were tired,” said Down. “Having three big games in seven days did take its toll, to be honest.
“We made some uncharacteristic errors and Frampton Cotterell were not a bad side. They were quite strong defensively and they harassed us.
“Even in the warm-up you could see we were a bit tired, but I was really pleased, and I did tell the players how much we appreciated it after the game as they did have to really dig deep.
“It was a bit reminiscent of our quarter-final last year.
“It was tic-for-tat all the way through the game.”
Saltash did reach the semi-final stage of the national cup last year, but were beaten 37-31 by eventual winners Old Rutlishians.
Down admits his team really want to go one step further this year and reach the final.
“They are desperate to,” he said. “They really want to get to Twickenham again.”
Saturday’s quarter-final, played in front of a large crowd at Moorlands Lane, started in a very lively and even manner with both teams testing out each other’s defences, but the Ashes were soon down to 14 players after just six minutes due to a yellow card.
But they managed to keep their visitors from scoring due to some resolute defending and the game continued to swing either way until flanker Phil Eatwell eased over the line after 31 minutes for a try which scrum-half Jack Pritchard converted.
The Frampton Cotterell side looked very dangerous on the break, but Ashes covered well and there were some good clearances from full-back Ryan Cruickshanks which kept the visitors from getting any points at the interval.
The Gloucestershire side came out for the second half in a determined manner and kicked a penalty after 45 minutes, which was followed by a try four minutes later on the right wing to put them into the lead.
However, Saltash came back strongly, and hooker Rob Walsh charged through to take them in front again with a converted try on 54 minutes.
Almost immediately Frampton Cotterell were on the attack down the right wing and following a penalty regained the advantage with a converted try to make it 15-14.
The ding-dong battle continued and within another five minutes the Ashes were back in the lead after a flowing move with a Cruickshank’s try.
Frampton were awarded a penalty but missed the kick and Pritchard then increased the Saltash lead with his own penalty.
The game looked to be heading into extra-time when a try and conversion under the posts by the visitors levelled the match at 22-22.
Tension was rising in the closing stages, but Moriarty finally broke through the visiting defence to score the winning try which was again converted with an excellent kick by Pritchard.
But Old Techs were unable to join Saltash in reaching a Papa Johns Cup semi-final after they were beaten 29-3 at home by Avonmouth Old Boys in the Counties Three & Below Championships competition.
The match was tighter than the scoreline suggests. It was only 3-3 until the 35th minute and 15-3 at half-time.
In a physical encounter, that resembled a local derby, Avonmouth just had a bit too much out-wide, but much of the match was played in the middle of the park with both defences impressing.
Techs did have some good spells of possession during the contest but just could not break down the Bristol side’s defence.
“I just said to the lads afterwards that it just comes down to being clinical,” said Techs’ Shaun Bedford-Smith.
“We weathered the storm in the first 10 minutes and then we had a good 20-minute period.
“The half-time score was 15-3 and we thought if we could get a try then we would be back in it.
“We were camped down there (in their half) for 20 minutes, but we just weren’t clinical.
“We defended really, really well, but when they had a few chances they scored.
“Whereas we battered their line, but just couldn’t cross it.
“They did score some good tries, but I do think the scoreline flattered them, I really do.”
He added: “I was disappointed we didn’t score, because I think we deserved to do.
“But we just played a really good side.
“We talked about how far we have come in the last 12 months and where Avonmouth have been.
“We have really given them a good, hard game.
“I said to the lads beforehand to just go out and give it everything and not leave anything on the pitch and they did that.
“I thought our ‘D’ was good. They have put on over 1,000 points this season and, as I said, I think the scoreline flattered them.
“If we had scored a try then it might have been pretty even.
“They were the better side, but I can’t fault the way our lads played. They did give everything, and that’s all we wanted beforehand.
“We knew how hard it was going to be, but they had to earn our respect and, hopefully, we have earned their respect.
“I spoke to their coach at the end, and he said that was a proper game of rugby – and I said the same thing.
“I was disappointed, but proud at the same time.
“We didn’t leave anything out there and sometimes you just have to say that you gave everything but were just beaten by a better side, yet they knew they were really in a game.”
Avonmouth, who had beaten Barton Hill 53-19 and Broad Plain 68-7 in their opening two rounds, did described Techs as ‘great hosts’ and admitted it had been a real physical encounter.
Neither side could get hold of the game in the opening 30 minutes as defences impressed.
Avonmouth started well, but Techs kept them out and then the hosts had some good possession, and the visitors were reduced to 14 men in the 16th minute.
Sam Matts put Techs in front with a penalty, but it was cancelled out four minutes later by one from Avonmouth.
The game remained level until Techs picked up a yellow card in the 33rd minute when full-back Lewis Harvey was sin-binned. And seconds later the visitors scored a fine try after opting for a scrum from the penalty. They fed the ball quickly out wide and winger Charlie Prescott scored in the corner. The try was converted to make it 10-3.
And in first half injury-time, centre Stuart Souch scored in the corner after some more good passing.
Just before the break, the referee sin-binned two Avonmouth players and one Old Techs player after an off the ball scuffle.
Techs, who were without Josh O’Hare, Dan Pullen and Will Booth, were looking for the first try after the interval. They started quite well, but crucially it was Avonmouth who got the next score when flanker Jared du Plessis took a quick tap penalty and dived over the line to make it 22-3.
Avonmouth, though, then picked up their fourth yellow card of the afternoon and Techs had some really good pressure. They were inches from scoring, but just couldn’t get over the whitewash.
The match stayed at 22-3 until injury-time when, after Ollie Davey had been yellow carded for Techs, Avonmouth’s number eight James Foss scored from close range to make it 29-3.
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