Newbury 18 - Salisbury 14

This was always going to be a tough encounter with both teams seeking points to drag them clear of the relegation battle and the visitors were not helped by the late arrival of scrum half Matt Dodkins who suffered a puncture on his way to Newbury. Will Murley moved from the centre into the number nine shirt and, although new to the role, produced a very impressive and tidy performance.  He was helped by the forwards producing clean and quick ball for the first period enabling him to set the back line moving.

Salisbury were first to exert pressure and were disappointed when Newbury broke clear to score through winger Jack Rampton, Daniel Thorne adding the extras. The game swung back and forth with the visitors unable to apply a clinical finish to their plentiful possession and, on the half hour, the hosts extended their lead through Duncan Craigan, making the most of their numerical superiority following the yellow card for Bobby Brown.

Salisbury were down but not out and, on the stroke of half time, the industrious Mike Adams was rewarded with a try from a forward drive and fly half Tom Tully calmly stroked the conversion through the posts to set up a nail biting second half.

Once again both sides struggled to enforce any superiority and it was only the boot of Daniel Thorne that bothered the scorer as two penalties stretched their lead, while Salisbury produced their best chance of the game, failed to see a massive overlap and knocked on down the blindside.

With the clock ticking down Brown partially atoned for his earlier misdemeanour by touching down and Tully added the extras for a losing bonus point which could yet prove invaluable. No doubt there is a battle to come, high flying Jersey visit Castle Road this Saturday, and Salisbury need to start turning possession into points. Kick off this week is at 1430hrs.

Salisbury United 40-3 Devizes II

At Castle Road, the club's 2nd XV hosted Devizes. With six tries - two apiece from Liam Davis and debutant number 8 Jack Dixon, one each for Pat Ewen and James Gamble - they recorded a good win by 40 points to 3. This leaves them within sight of a top three league finish.

Neil Tonge