Salisbury 63-7 Grove
11th. February 2023: Salisbury have made it two wins on the bounce; a comfortable win at home to Shipston-on-Stour was followed by an emphatic win over Grove at home on Saturday.
Dry and still conditions at Castle Road allowed to Salisbury to play with accuracy and at a pace that the visitors were unable to contain for most of the afternoon.
After a lively start the hosts were rewarded when flanker Bobby Spiers crashed over after only 6 minutes for Tom Tulley to add the extras. Tully extended the lead two minutes later after an impressive handling display by Salisbury’s backs provided him with a clear scoring opportunity. Momentum remained with the hosts. Grove’s forwards were dispossessed on 12 minutes enabling Matthew Woodhouse to fly down the wing for the host’s third try and a 17 – 0 lead.
Salisbury’s confidence increased along with their fluency. Four further trys followed from Jack Fitzgerald, Ben Wheeler, Mike Dauwalder and Henry Toomer. Tully added three conversions and the hosts ended the half with a comfortable 43 – 0 lead.
The second was much less one-sided. Grove’s scrummage was the stronger which enabled them to apply some pressure. Their forwards made dents in Salisbury’s defence and limited the host’s progress. Salisbury did however score two further trys from Tully and James Kennedy along with a drop goal from Sandy Wheatley before Grove’s Bradley Tailford crashed over for their only converted score. Some credit must go to the visitors, their selection had been affected by non-availability and they were clearly not at their best. Despite this they stuck to the task and contributed to an entertaining encounter which was concluded with a try from Salisbury’s Henry Toomer in the final minutes.
A 63 – 7 win can only reinforce Salisbury’s confidence before travelling to Wiltshire rivals Swindon next weekend as they seek to consolidate their position in league Regional 2 Tribute South Central.
Report: Joe Cooper
Photos: John Palmer
