"THAT was not good enough", bemoaned head coach Dan Jeffries after watching Salisbury RFC's title hopes be pierced once more at the hands of fellow promotion-contenders Newbury Blues.

His Green and Whites were condemned to a 23-12 defeat - their third in five games - which sees them remain second in South West 1 (East) but only three points ahead of Newbury and 12 behind runaway leaders Towcestrians.

Salisbury, playing in front of a big crowd in Berkshire, gradually forced their way into the match and looked the better of the sides but decent moves were scuppered at the last moment.

Infringements and poor kicking cost the city side dear as Newbury converted three penalties to lead 9-0 at half time.

Salisbury were quicker to find their feet after the break and, following a terrific run from lock Rob Best, which included an outrageous dummy, a series of plays pinned Newbury on their line before Dave Tonge spotted a gap and danced over for a score. The hosts responded with a fine try through the centre followed by a conversion to extend their lead to 16-5.

The visitors refused to roll over and, following a good spell, a reverse pass from Tonge saw Jamie Miller crash over for a score which was converted by Charlie Jennings.

But ,despite being within four points of the hosts, they went onto kill the game off in the dying seconds.

Newbury picked up the ball from a scrum that had wheeled through 180 degrees, knocking on in the process, and crashed over for a contentious, converted score.

Jeffries reflected: “There is work to do, that was not good enough, we need to play all game."

The seconds endured the same misfortune, despite making a razor-sharp start at home to high-flying Blandford in Dorset and Wilts 1 South.

Duncan Grocock scored first following a good spell of sustained pressure, but that was as good as it got.

Despite heroic defence and many try-saving tackles, Blandford ran in six tries, converting four of them, to win 38-5.