STRUGGLING Salisbury came within touching distance of sealing their maiden win in South West 1 (East) Division on Saturday.

But an agonising four points dashed Salisbury’s hopes and, instead, they tumbled to a 20-24 defeat on home soil to Windsor.

The visitors started with the wind behind them but failed to capitalise on the advantage by kicking for the corners and instead chose to use their big forwards to trundle up the pitch.

James Gillies bundled over in the corner for the opening score but Rory Davis pegged them back with a well-struck penalty into the breeze. Salisbury’s willingness to mix things up in the loose, some strong running from out of defence by Phil Carr and Drew White, topped off with some judicious kicking by Davis, kept them in the hunt.

And with half-time approaching thoughts of turning round only two-points adrift began to warm the crowd.

A couple of losses in concentration let Windsor score twice before the break. First Simon Evans came off the back of a scrummage and took advantage of the inexperience in the home back row to fall over for a score, before Gary Morgan spotted a gaping hole in the defence to bolt home from halfway, both tries converted by Dan Sumnall.

An inspirational half-time talk from Neil Loader reflected on his players’ second half display as they took the game to their visitors - eventually being rewarded with another Davis penalty.

With only minutes left of normal time Salisbury scored the try of the game as Carr scurried past two tackles to touch down with Davis adding the extras.

Salisbury will play their tenth game of the season at Buckingham on Saturday.

MIKE Brown, pictured below, was named the Sky Sports man of the match as England beat Australia 20-13 at Twickenham on Saturday.

The full-back, who attended Wyvern College and played for Salisbury RFC, was winning his 19th cap.

Argentina are the visitors to Twickenham this Saturday.

Salisbury Colts beat Swanage and Wareham 27-10 in the Dorset and Wilts Plate. Salisbury under 13s entertained Newbury and played a game of three periods to accommodate the large squads of both sides, with Salisbury triumphing with a 17-14 victory.

Salisbury U12 competed in the Landrover tournament at Bradford On Avon and won all three pool games, amassing 12 tries and giving away none.

But Salisbury marginally missed out on a place in the final to Winscombe, who went through over Salisbury as they scored first in the match, which finished level at full time.