CONFIDENCE was maintained by the Cornish Rebels ahead of their South West Challenge Cup defence with a 44-14 win at North Devon Raiders on Saturday.

Braces from Jess Tompsett and Matt Ballard were added to with tries also scored by captain Grant Thirlby, 16-year-old Sam Scates-Veale, James Martin and Lewis Thomas to secure maximum points in the South West Premier League clash at Barnstaple.

Their latest victory means they head into Saturday's cup final against Exeter Centurions at Saltash with a 100 per cent this season and eyeing up a third successive title.

Proceedings began better for the Raiders as after forcing their opponents on the back foot, a quick switch in play gave Ashlee Crouch space to dive over for the opening score.

Nothing seemed to be going right for the Rebels as Darren Pellow knocked-on with the try-line begging, but suddenly they got back in the game as Thirlby intercepted a play before sprinting in from 35m out.

His conversion put the Cornishmen ahead and was soon followed up by two Tompsett tries in three minutes from almost identical positions.

Before the break, Craig Murdoch scored another unconverted try for the hosts but a mistake straight from the second half kick-off set up Ballard for his first dot down.

Scates-Veale put his name on the scoresheet not long after, but some pressure was put back on as Shaun East made the most of an error from the Rebels to make it 30-14.

However, any thoughts of a comeback were banished as the away side dominated the action from here on in with Ballard adding a second try before Martin dashed over from 60m out.

Thomas finished the afternoon off by dotting down with ten minutes remaining, although he was injured in the process.

The Challenge Cup Final will kick-off at 3pm, with Plymouth Titans playing the Raiders in a match beforehand, beginning at 1.45pm.

REBELS: Binns, Scates-Veale, Thomas, Martin, Ellis, Pallett, Thirlby (c), Wright, Pellow, C Durant, Tompsett, Joyce, Ballard.

REPS: Cromie, J Durant.

TRIES: Thirlby, Tompsett (2), Ballard (2), Scates-Veale, Martin, Thomas.

CONS: Thirlby 6/8.