Senior Rugby 15 Sep 18
To see the reports of the 1st XV taking on Royal Wootton Bassett, the United at Blandford, the A XV at Wimborne and the Stones opening their account against Lychett Minster please follow this link...
Salisbury 48-19 Royal Wootton Bassett
Salisbury turned in a far better performance to surprise previously unbeaten Wiltshire rivals Royal Wootton Bassett 48-19 at the weekend. The home side were out of the blocks early and from a catch and drive Liam Gilbert strolled over for the first score, converted by Boyd Rouse. Bassett roused themselves and pulled a score back in the corner to level but Salisbury came again and from a drive Toby Daw burrowed over to regain the lead. The visitors once again struck back and with the conversion points edged into a lead for the first time 12-14.
Salisbury built position patiently and after a number of phases hooker Miles Thompson dived over with Rouse converting. The game was now finely poised and when the visitors were awarded a line out in the corner, skipper Josh Green rose high to reclaim the ball. Dave Tonge and Rouse released the backs, Rob Larcombe found Callum MacTaggart in space and he outstretched the cover to touch down near the posts. Rouse made sure of the extra points and Salisbury had a comfortable 26-14 half time lead.
Salisbury have fallen asleep in previous weeks after half time but they were in no mood to let this happen again and another exciting move saw Rory MacTaggart come off the right wing to score on the left. Not to be outdone Callum MacTaggart called for and chased down a Tonge box kick, outstripping the defence for his second try; Rouse converting both. Bassett added another score before further home pressure saw Gilbert recover the ball as the visitors attempted to run out of defence. Larcombe was up in support cut the perfect line for a score only to be agonizingly brought down inches short but a combination of great presence of mind and technique saw him pop the ball up for Joe Tully to score, Rouse converting in imperious fashion.
With their tails up Salisbury surged forward but sadly no further tries were coming in this entertaining fixture, Rouse rounding off the scoring with a penalty. Salisbury now entertain Witney at Castle Road next Saturday with a win under their belts and will be hoping to build on this result.
Blandford 46-26 Salisbury United
Salisbury United competed to the end of a tough encounter with Blandford, scoring a try in the last move of the game to secure a bonus point, but a series of injuries took its toll. Blandford started strongly and profited from some poor tackling to take a 21 point lead, but once the city side’s quick backs were given some ball, debutantes Max Bishop and Ross Stanley displayed their running skills, Stanley scoring two long-range efforts converted by the evergreen Tom Pottage. Shortly after half-time Blandford extended their lead, but when Pottage went over and converted his own score Salisbury could sense an opportunity. However, despite the sterling efforts of the scrum, the physical nature began to take its toll with Blandford tightening the game and scoring regularly to move out to 46 points, before the spirited Salisbury effort was rewarded at the death with a Mike Bryan try.
Wimborne III XV 36-12 Salisbury ‘A’ XV
Anthony Gibson scored twice for the visitors who lost experienced playmaker Mark Lerpiniere to an ankle injury.
Salisbury Stones 99-12 Lychett Minster II XV
The Stones hit the ground running scoring 15 tries, Dan Luedicke claiming seven of them in his club debut.
