A COMMANDING display in atrocious conditions saw Salisbury United post a very impressive 39-0 victory at Wimborne in a rearranged league game, writes RICH LLOYD.

At the heart of the performance was the decision-making and kicking of David Tonge, starting his first game since returning from injury, the industry of skipper Mike Dauwalder and his forwards, plus the confidence of Olly Loach, press-ganged into playing at stand off.

Salisbury cut down the errors a controlled passage of play saw Loach go over.

Although made to work hard at scrum time, Jake McConnell and Josh Green managed to control the ball sufficiently for Tonge to tease Wimborne with a number of long kicks and it was the scrum-half who scored the next points before Dauwalder went over after yet another passage of sustained pressure and handling that defied the weather.

In the second half, taking on the weather as much as the opposition, the handling was precise enough to stretch the home defence, whilst the power of Salisbury’s running and support play allowed the away team to dictate the pace and pattern of the game, rewarding Scott Neary with the first of two tries, closely followed by Dauwalder’s second, converted by Alex Andreoli.

It was not a day for being on the wing, but both Charlie Gentleman and Theo Daniel involved themselves at every opportunity and worked hard to snuff out the danger whenever Wimborne threatened.

With the scrum work tightening and the lineout operating well, it was no surprise to see Neary cross for his second, converted by Andreoli, before Jamie Wright was denied a score following quick-thinking from Tonge and a pinpoint cross-kick, the referee bringing the game back for a penalty to Salisbury.

But Wright was not to be denied, finishing a multi-phased move in style to complete the scoring and a very satisfying 39-0 win.

l SALISBURY Colts avenged an early season defeat by Dorchester with a comprehensive 33-8 win, writes NEIL JONES.

The pack took control early and captain Cam Mould took advantage to open the scoring, converting his own score, before the home side responded with a penalty.

Despite early Dorchester pressure in the second period, Harry Mould initiated and finished a move to extend the lead, Cam Mould again converting.

The hosts pulled back a try, but Salisbury had the bit between their teeth and further tries from Tom McFarland, Huw Hallsworth and Matt Hicks sealed the matter with another three conversions from the impeccable boot of Cam Mould.