Falmouth Rugby Club

A welcome return to winning ways for Falmouth Eagles who edged out third place Saltash in a thrilling match to extend their lead to five points at the top of the Devon and Cornwall league. The bonus point win even more important as rivals Penryn slipped to a surprise defeat to Lanner.

The weather favoured the entertaining, high risk style of rugby both these sides look to play. The first five minutes setting the tone, as Saltash looked to set runners free and were just held up over the line from their first attack. Following the clearance, the Eagles broke through Jon Baglow, Tom Simmons chipping the ball forward and hauling down the full back, Saltash tried to clear the danger but David Jones recovered the ball, attacked the disorganised defence and put Jake Seviour into the corner, Justyn Irons converting.

The visitors again threatened, pushing strong runners through the centre of the field and it was only the resilience of Falmouth's scrambling defence that kept them out. The Eagles extended the lead, as Owen Hambly made yards and found David Jones in support to score.

Falmouth enjoyed a period of control, scrum half Tom Spiller kicking intelligently from rucks into space with the Eagles putting pressure on the Ashes. However, this was a match where neither side could feel completely safe, the Saltash threat demonstrated from a midfield scrum, number 8 and scrum half Wells and Mulberry cleverly combining to find full back Cruickshanks running a line that saw him burst through the Falmouth defence to score, Hocking converting.

Tom Spiller provided the best response as Falmouth answered almost immediately with another score, the back row of Simon Bailey and Tom Simmons interlinking in a move that was brought down 1 meter short, Spiller picking up and diving over the line for a 17 - 7 half time lead.

Falmouth should have put the game to bed in the first 5 minutes of the second half but managed to foul up a couple of clear cut chances, Owen Hambly finding no support as he was hauled down short of the line by the Ashes defence after a 40 metre break.

Saltash were gifted a couple of penalties, to clear the pressure and move into Falmouth territory, Falmouth were further penalised and Hocking put over his kick, to move to within a score of the hosts, the Ashes supporters for the first time began to sniff an opportunity.

From a scrum on halfway Tom Edmonds produced the score of the day, combining with David Jones in a slick move that saw him cross near the posts, Irons converting as Falmouth secured the bonus point by scoring four tries.

Even with Falmouth fourteen points ahead, Saltash kept attacking with enterprising moves from near their own try line, the Falmouth side expecting a clearance kick. Pushing their way into Falmouth territory slick handling from the backs gave wing Crawford, Ashes Second try.

There was to be no great comeback for Saltash as Falmouth sealed the win through an Irons penalty as the Eagles, demonstrated the belief of their Coaches that exciting, entertaining rugby can also be winning rugby.

Falmouth will next week be back in action next week with a cup match against Penryn at the Memorial ground.

Falmouth.

Cock, Geach, Searle, Baglow, Ward, Bailey, Hambly, Simmons, Spiller, Irons, Brewer, Edmonds, Jones, Lea, Seviour.

Reps, Church, Hubble, Tonkins.

Video match report available here: https://vimeo.com/190392260

Photo by Ellie Mears.