U15s win against Marlborough in cup match

Salisbury vs Marlborough U15s D&W cup match – an excellent 13:0 win to top the group.

Salisbury U15s visited Marlborough on 15 December for a crucial D&W Cup match – the decider to
win the group. The score from the previous encounter earlier in the season had been a Salisbury loss
by 5:7 with no score in the final 40 minutes, so everyone knew it was going to be a tight match.
Initial pressure by Marlborough in the Salisbury half was repelled by good tackling and well-judged
clearance kicks. The play then was mainly around mid-field with both teams neutralizing each
other’s attacks. The breakdown was scrappy and several penalties were given away on both sides.
Byron missed a difficult penalty kick from out wide. A nice ball off the top of the lineout from Danny
went to Ronnie who peeled from the back into the 5m channel, but he was bundled into touch
before he could offload. Salisbury scrums were dominant and they put increasing pressure on
Marlborough’s line, culminating in a number 8 pickup from Ronnie to go over for a try in the corner.
5:0 at halftime.

A Marlborough interception early in the second half had Salisbury hearts in their
mouths but good cover tackling dealt with that. Close play continued with the ball going wide
through the backs’ hands but there were no clear line breaks due to good defence on both sides.
Mid-half, Byron kicked a penalty to make it a 8:0 and a 2 score match, but Salisbury were by no
means home with continued pressure from the opposition. With minutes to go, a well-set maul from
a lineout, and an unstoppable drive by the forwards, put Toby over the line to make it 13:0 at full
time.

A great, gutsy performance from the whole team and a well-deserved win.