TOTNES are virtually assured of at least a play-off spot after a comprehensive 40-9 win at Ernesettle.

Six tries – three in each half – plus five conversions from Chris Hooper was more than enough against Tamar Saracens, who could only muster three Craig Couch penalties.

Totnes winger Phil Atkins set the tone with an early try and was followed in by flanker Jerry Hamilton and Hooper, whose three conversions had Totnes 21-6 up at the break.

There was more of the same in the second half. Andy Rive scored the fourth, Jake Orchard crossed in the corner and replacement back Dan Janman soon made his mark with the last try.

Hooper brought his personal tally to 15 points with two more conversions.

SALCOMBE'S promotion hopes appear dead in the water after they tumbled to a fourth straight defeat on Saturday, going down 50-10 to Honiton.

The Crabs made the best possible start by sending winger Darren Hopkins in for the opening score on the end of a three-quarter move.

However this lead was short-lived as Honiton were 26-5 to the good at the end of the first spell.

Salcombe managed a consolation score for full-back Richard Collins in a one-way second half.

NEW Cross started as they finished against DHS seven days earlier – then it all went wrong as they slipped to a 20-18 defeat at Plymouth Barbarians.

New Cross, fresh from whitewashing DHS 103-0, raced into a 15-0 lead.

On the stroke of half time a try by home lock Aaron Anderson-Smith kept the Barbarians in touch.

New Cross scrum-half Louis Griffiths had opened the scoring after a break by his No.8 Mark Oswald off the back of a scrum.

Further tries followed for flanker Julian Hull and Nathan Messer, who both finished off kick-and-chase moves.

The Barbarians – with the wind, but up the slope – started the second half with a bang.

A quick tap-penalty from scrum-half Dan Leeson sent full-back Dave Warwyck over the line before flanker Martin Jarvis also crossed.

Fly-half Jamie Hannaford's conversion put the Plymouth outfit ahead for the first time.

The lead didn't last long as Ryan Wotton – who had earlier failed with the conversions – put New Cross back on front.

However, Hannaford had the last say, his penalty 10 minutes from time completed the hard-earned comeback.