SALISBURY RFC harried and hassled through the atrocious weather conditions to seal a place in this year’s final of the Dorset and Wilts Cup against Swanage and Wareham.

Before Salisbury comprehensively despatched Royal Wootten Bassett 33-7 in their semi final clash, two minutes’ silence was held at Castle Road for Remembrance Day.

Once the eagerly-anticipated match got underway, it took 35 minutes before any points were totted on the board. These went in Salisbury’s favour when a quickfire double penalty from Tom Pottage gave the home side a six point lead.

Pottage’s kicks inspired Salisbury as they went on to get their first try from Dave Tonge to extend the score to 11-0. The 40 minute half seemed to go on longer than expected but it didn’t trouble Salisbury as they recorded further points to secure a 25- point gap at the break.

The foul rain made the pitch heavier and the majority of action seemed to be with the forwards.

Wootten Bassett mounted an early attack and a welldeserved try and conversion seemed to presage a comeback, and the second half was a much more even contest than the first. But, when Tom Pottage scored another penalty after 20 minutes of the half, Bassett knew the game was up.

Late on, a driving line out from Dave Tonge allowed him to nip in for his second try of the match.

The final will be played on Saturday, November 29, with the venue to be announced.

Other finalists Swanage and Wareham booked their place after beating Wimborne 10- 22.

  • The under 16s convincingly beat Ellingham and Ringwood 48-7 on Sunday.