SALISBURY Rugby Club's under 17s narrowly missed out on National Cup success, losing out 10-17 in a tough game against visiting Gloucestershire champions, Widden Old Boys.

Salisbury were forced to call-up seven boys from their under 16s side to bolster their squad but the youngsters made a full contribution to the team as the home pack pushed Widden about for most of the afternoon.

Ryan Barlow opened the scoring for the home side when he chased a kick ahead, hacked on and, under intense pressure, won the race to the tryline.

Salisbury were then rocked by the loss of centre Alex Devereux to a fractured elbow, and conceded two tries before half time.

Salisbury came back strongly after the break and, with their forwards in the ascendancy and captain Will Beach putting in a storming performance behind the scrum, began to exert pressure.

Widden defended well and always looked dangerous on the break, their right winger scoring a try which they duly converted.

But Salisbury refused to let their heads drop and surged forward despite losing yet another player, hooker Danny Safe who sustained a broken collarbone.

They were rewarded when Taro Phillimore was driven over for a try.

More pressure followed but the hosts held on for the victory thanks to a spirited effort from all of the Castle Road boys.

After putting together a fantastic cup run, once again Salisbury's under 15s found themselves up against old rivals and reigning champions Chippen-ham in the Wiltshire Cup final.

Salisbury matched the holders in every department save where it really mattered - on the scoreboard.

Chippenham managed to sneak a try in each half, doing enough to retain their title.

Salisbury continually applied pressure but were unable to break down the home defence.

Meanwhile the under 14s hosted Wimborne and, despite trailing at the break, gained a convincing 48-12 victory with a fine second half showing against the Dorset side.

Salisbury's under 11s have qualified for the Wiltshire & Dorset Cup by winning the Wiltshire heats, scoring ten tries without reply on a blustery day at Bradford on Avon.

Defying the difficult conditions, the boys beat teams from Corsham, Devizes, and Bradford on Avon.

The pool decider was against old rivals Chippenham whom they held to a 0-0 draw before topping their group on total tries scored.

They then faced a play-off against Warminster, runners up of the other group, and won by three tries to nil to go forward, along with Chippenham, to the finals against the Dorset winners.

4:14pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

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