SALISBURY suffered their first defeat of the season in Hampshire Division One as their undermanned team ran out of steam in the second half to fall victim to Trojans 5-3.

The Lower Bemerton side came into the game on the back of three wins and were clear favourites to beat a Trojans team who had won only one of their opening four games.

Yet, Salisbury were hit by a number of regulars being unavailable and were forced to travel to Southampton with only 11 players.

Despite this, it was the visitors who burst into an early two-goal lead with Max Grossmith continuing his hot start to the season, scoring from open play.

And captain Rory MacTaggart fired home with a trademark drag flick from a penalty corner.

With their usual brand of fast attacking hockey, it looked like the visitors would continue their fine start to the season but Trojans hit back before halftime, scoring twice from penalty corners against the run of play.

After the break, a visibly tiring Salisbury struggled to stay in the game and eventually succumbed to three second-half Trojans’ goals, before Grossmith added a consolation second to take his streak to nine goals in three games.

MacTaggart said: “We played very well considering we had the bare 11 and the several players that stepped up from the seconds by no means looked out of place, which is great to see for the club.”

  • Braces from Seb Horlock and Nathan Reeman, with Angus Bushby also finding the net, ensured a 5-1 victory for Salisbury boys under 12s over Farnham and Camberley.