HEAD coach Neil Loader admits Salisbury RFC need to add "more physicality to our game" after their 250-mile round trip to Ivybridge ended in defeat.

The newcomers, fresh from their opening win, were beaten by their South Devon opponents 32-15 in National League 3 South West.

The hosts started brightly but as soon as Salisbury gained possession they looked to attack and a delicate chip through by Robbie Keith saw Dan Hammond beaten in the chase for the touch down.

Tom Lane departed the fray and was replaced by Tom Pottage but Salisbury hardly noticed as they counter attacked and superb handling and another Keith grubber saw Hammond in for the opening try. Ivybridge responded through a penalty from Billy Pinkus before scoring a try of their own.

The home side looked to add to their lead but Keith dispossessed the ball carrier, linked well with his support and finished off with a score under the posts, adding the conversion on the stroke of half time for a 12-8 lead.

In the second period, Keith kicked another penalty in response to a home pushover try and conversion. As the visitors threatened, a forward pass coughed up possession and the hosts broke to score. Both sides lost a man to the sin bin but two further tries, one of which was converted, saw Ivybridge home and dry in a richly-deserved win.

"We played a side who are now established at this level, it was a long journey to get here, I am not making excuses but for the first 40 minutes we matched them," rued Loader.

"We need to play more of our first half rugby in the second period. We need to bring more physicality to our game. I was disappointed to let them in for that last score but overall I think we are moving in the right direction.”

Salisbury take on Bracknell at Castle Road on Saturday (3pm).