Feb
Salisbury made it 12 consecutive league wins in a row and are now within 3 points. along with Cheltenham, closing the gap on league leaders Chippenham, who lost their second match in a row on Saturday. Swanage & Wareham stay on track and are within 1 point of the top of the table, so the final fixtures leading towards the end of the season will be ultimately crucial. Salisbury entertained Walcot Old Boys from Bath, who are coached by former England player Steve Ojomo. Having lost to them earlier in the season Salisbury were expecting a tough task but as the first half unfolded the home side, with superior ability in the three quarters, ran the game plan to their strenghts, spinning the ball wide and in the 13th minute winger Phil Carr stretched his legs to go over for his first try. The conversion was slotted by Tom Pottage. A Walcot player was caught coming in at the side in a ruck which resulted in Tom Pottage taking the extra 3 points from the penalty goal. Approaching half time Pottage found himself in space and had time to allude the Walcot desperate defenders to take a well deserved try of his own. Salisbury were now dominating within the forwards and from good possession in injury time gave ample opportunity for Phil Carr to go in for his second try of the afternoon. The 2 conversion points from Pottage took the half time score to 22-0. Walcot's half time team talk paid dividends as their No. 8 - Reynolds and No. 2 - Burden, started to penetrate the Salisbury defence, hitting hard in mid-field to put Salisbury on the back foot. Characteristically strong in defence the home side had to absorb a fair amount of continued pressure which resulted in some scrappy play and loss of overall shape to their game. Several line outs were lost through bad timing and although the visitors took advantage of what possession they had could not breach the resolute defensive stance of Salisbury for them to score. Both sides received yellow cards and the overall pattern of the game deteriorated somewhat. Salisbury picked up only 3 points in the second half, from a penalty by Tom Pottage and were grateful that their first half efforts were enough to seal a home victory.
The match players were Richard Lang, Tom Pottage, Richard Roe, Terry Gilmour, Phil Carr, Dave Bell, Tim Shipsey, Phil Ball, Nick Taylor, Adam Misselbrook, Dave Thorpe, Jack Fishwick, John Guy, James Kay, Luke Bugden, Gary Bosley, Luke Robinson and Phil Chesters.
There is no game next week and Salisbury resume league action away to third placed Cheltenham on Saturday 1st March with a 2.30 p.m. kick off.
Salisbury's 3rd XV ran out convincing winners against local rivals The Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew, winning 41-5.












