Saltash 13pts Helston 6pts

IT only would be the feeling that coach Dick Whitney must have felt. Helston found themselves missing several key players, some through injury and some for personal reasons.

The upshot was a narrow defeat to a team that are becoming something of a bogey side to Helston. Helston were leading 6-3 with 10 minutes to go, but the the two penalties by fly half Steve Trethowan were just not enough in the end.

Promising starts were made by newcomers prop Phil Ashley and hooker Nicolas Tomba. However, it was just not enough on the day.

Meanwhile at Helston the 2nd team played a merit table encounter with a strong Camborne 3rd XV. Again senior debuts were given to Scott Blandford and Jack Kello among others.

Skipper and second row Richard Bassett was able to call on the services of rugby manager Dave Adams and second row newcomer Jules Pyatt to give the replacements bench a look of size if nothing else.

Despite losing 20-0 this was an encouraging performance considering that many of the youngsters playing were making senior rugby debuts.

Helston now look forward to the visit of St Just next Saturday with an earlier kick of of 2.30pm.