THE unveiling of Salisbury Rugby Club’s refurbished clubhouse on Saturday didn’t produce a winning display on the pitch as Mark Bugden’s threadbare squad slumped to a 32-24 defeat at home to Marlow.

In the opening exchanges, before chairman Simon Hedges introduced the revamped facilities with lunch, both sides probed but Marlow showed an early intent to run the ball wide and, after a sharp handling move, Miles Noble came on an angled run to take the ball and cross for the opener – converted by Nick Carvey.

Salisbury responded immediately with a drop goal by Andy Herriott and continued to press.

Hamish Morton drove an attack forward following good work from Leon Taylor. Richard West was prominent in the move and the ball was switched sharply right for full-back Phil Carr to hit the line, turn on the afterburners, and touch down behind the posts.

Marlow drew level with a Carvey penalty and then regained the lead when fly half Will Fulton showed a neat step to score, Carvey again converting.

Salisbury were not finished and came back with a vigorous approach. Bobby Saunders suffered a nasty looking knee injury and Jack Paffatt entered the fray.

A good box kick from David Tonge saw Salisbury pressuring the visitors’ 22-metre area and the ball was switched right, then left, and Taylor finished the move with a score, Pottage converting from wide out to level the scores.

Salisbury had their tails up and another Tonge kick into space was followed up and only a knockon saved Marlow but the respite was shortlived as a great Salisbury drive at the scrummage saw the visitors concede a penalty but the metronomic Pottage could only strike the upright on this occasion.

The game continued in the same vein after the break but it was Marlow who broke and scored from a long way out through Jon Wolfe.

Towards the end Salisbury were within five points of their visitors and they threw everything at Marlow but a further Carvey penalty put the result just out of home side’s reach and, to add to their woes, Pottage joined an ever expanding injury list with a dislocated shoulder.

Salisbury look to register their first win at Newbury on Saturday.