Salisbury 7 - Newbury Blues 40
Salisbury welcomed long-standing rivals Newbury Blues to Castle Road on Saturday. It proved to be another tough afternoon for the hosts in which their losing run was extended to five in league Regional 2 South Central.
The first half was keenly contested with Newbury edging ahead with a penalty on 11 minutes but the hosts were undeterred. They were rewarded on 34 minutes with a try from Will Murley after a period of sustained pressure. Tom Tully added the conversion to give Salisbury a well-earned 7 – 3 lead. The visitors responded almost immediately and, after placing Salisbury under intense pressure, fly-half Daniel Thorne dummied to create an opening to score. With the extras added, Newbury ended the half with a slender 7 – 10 lead.
It was the visitors who gained control for most of the second half. Salisbury were unable to make an impression and Newbury pressure resulted in the hosts conceding yellows card in the 57th and 71st minutes. The visitor’s dominance resulted in a penalty conversion and five further unanswered tries to finish 7 – 40 winners.
League -leaders Jersey will host Salisbury next Saturday.
Report: Joe Cooper
Photos: John Palmer
