SALCOMBE have been given a rude awakening in recent weeks after a run of four straight defeats in the Devon One promotion division.

Having won Devon South West without losing a game to qualify for the promotion play-offs, Salcombe's form seems to have deserted them.

They didn't score a try for three games, hardly the sort of performance expected from a side with promotion aspirations. While North East leaders Totnes are virtually assured of promotion already, Salcombe have dropped five points off the pace.

Team manager Mark Lidstone said Salcombe always knew the South West qualifying division was relatively weak and had they not finished near the top they would have been worried.

What has happened since has highlighted a problem at the club which will probably hold them back for a while.

"We expected the games to get tougher once we got in with the likes of Honiton and South Molton, although we had hoped to do a bit better," said Lidstone.

"It did not help that we went a month without playing at one stage due to the bad weather either side of Christmas – and our first game back was in the promotion division at New Cross.

"When we are at full strength, as we were against Totnes (13-0) then we are competitive. The minute a few players drop out we don't have the strength in depth, especially in the forwards.

"I never expected it to be us and Totnes going straight up to Cornwall & Devon next season, It is a good job we won't be as we are struggling now and would find it much harder at the next level up."