Liskeard-Looe...3 Honiton...7

HOSTS Liskeard-Looe made league front-runners Honiton struggle all the way in a hard-fought encounter at Lux Park on Saturday.

Liskeard belied their lowly position in the standings and came within 10 minutes of pulling off a shock victory over a side who had not lost in the league since before the Christmas break.

The Lions rode their luck and had the conditions to thank, though, as the east Devon outfit failed to take any of their four penalties awarded in the first 15 minutes.

Liskeard's best chance came late into the half following a break by Mike Charlwood who put young wing Brad Burchell clear.

Burchell's strong run took him to the Honiton 22 but his inside pass went to ground, instead of to hand, and the chance was missed, as the half ended scoreless.

Liskeard, who were looking to avenge a heavy 48-17 defeat up at Honiton in October took advantage of the visitors profligacy.

The Lions slipped into a 3-0 lead through centre Baz Hocking's perfectly-placed penalty and then spent the remainder of the half defending their slender advantage.

And Liskeard, who need the points to ensure they do not get sucked into the third relegation spot, so nearly pulled off a shock result.

However, with around 10 minutes left on the Lux Park clock, Honiton finally breached the Lions line.

The visitors' Josh Rice breaking clear from a ruck close to the Liskeard line and crossing the whitewash to put Honiton in front for the first time.

Their advantage was increased to four points when Oliver Cave kicked the conversion for 7-3.

That sparked a late rally from Liskeard who laid siege to the Honiton half for the remaining minutes, but their efforts, though, as the visitors held on to record their 16th win from 20 outings this term.

Honiton now have an eight-point advantage over second-placed Tavistock (69 pts), who were not in action on Saturday, and who have consequently played one game less than the leaders.

CORNWALL ONE Stithians...0 Saltash...61

SALTASH continued their march through Cornwall's first division in emphatic fashion, scoring 11 tries away to an out-of-sorts Stithians outft.

Champions-elect Saltash scored pretty much at will with wing James Moriarty, fly-half Joe Skinnard, centre Richard Skinnard and number eight all crossing twice for the visitors.

Former Albion full-back Max Venables also crossed the whitewash for the visitors, adding to his three conversions. There were also solitary scores for wing Will Morton and scrum-half Shaun Crawford to complete the rout for the leaders.

Ashes now have an eight-point lead and a one-match advantage over nearest rivals Helston, who kept their play-off hopes alive with a 28-12 home win over bottom-placed Roseland.