Salisbury 5 - Jersey Reds 66
Salisbury hosted the high-flying Jersey boys on Saturday who came into the weekend having only lost one fixture. This was always going to be a tough fixture for the green and whites who were lying 11th out of 12 at the beginning of the match.
It was not a time to shrink from the challenge ahead even though the big men were in town and Salisbury, to be fair, started well. Murley, playing at centre, jumped on the ball with the try line 50 or so metres ahead of him and this proved a challenge with the impressive Jersey No 8 catching him near the Jersey tryline and was a memorable chase and one for the scrapbook.
Salisbury remained in the game for 13 minutes with a few chances going begging including a few lost important lineouts. The first well worked Jersey try came from a cross kick and this tactic was to continue through the game. In a quickfire 5 minutes, Jersey scored two more tries making the score a perilous 0-19 at the 18th minute point - it was going to be a tough afternoon for Luke Newton’s home side. Jersey continued to manipulate the overload out wide using the very effective Jersey 11 and, a little trouble was brewing with Jersey, using the cross kick again to good effect, scored two more tries before halftime. Jersey had also realised that they could now take on the tiring Salisbury forwards leading a half time score of 0-38 with Jersey scoring five tries.
Salisbury needed to start the second half strongly or be tossed around like rag dolls but Jersey stole another Salisbury lineout leading to two tries from the Jersey No 8 in the first five minutes of the second half. Holes continued to open for Jersey as Salisbury struggled to keep shape and there were a further two tries in the 54th and 61st minute and a score line of 0-59. It was turning out to be a good day for the visitors and oh what a night they were to have later!
To be fair to Salisbury, the team were attempting to attack, not surprisingly, from all areas now but basic errors such as knock-ons were hindering any progress. However, good news in the 75th minute when Hammond touched down in the corner but it was too late to work their way back. From the kick off, Salisbury continued to run the ball but, as often happens when chasing a game, there was an interception and the Jersey No 8 scored the team’s 10th and his 5th try.
Some promising signs possibly though for Salisbury who lost the first half 0-38 but there was an improved second half score of 5-28. If the coaching and playing squad can piece together some more consistent phase play matched by improved defensive lines, fitness and conditioning Salisbury can move away from the relegation zone. They remain 11th in the league as the above teams begin to stretch away so there are five vital fixtures for Salisbury to overcome, win and avoid the drop.
Dave Murley
