SALISBURY RFC got their promotion plan back on the right path with 37-22 victory over fellow challengers Walcot at Castle Road.

Dan Jeffries’ green and white army, who suffered two recent defeats to the top two in Southern Counties South, looked the part from the very start in their showdown.

Tom Pottage converted an early penalty for Salisbury in a quick start but then a lapse in concentration, coupled with a series of loose tackles, allowed Walcot to score in the corner. And following the conversion, Salisbury found themselves trailing 3-7.

However, the home team maintained their load during the first 20-minute spell, which resulted in two further penalties, skilfully converted by Pottage, and Salisbury regained the lead, going ahead 9-7.

Despite some spirited play by Walcot during the first half, Salisbury kept on totting up the points, with Dave Tonge and Richard Roe driving over the line for tries and Pottage added the extras each time. Through their prolificacy, they led Walcot 23-7 but it came at the expense of Josh Green, who sustained a knee injury, which could see him sidelined for a month.

After the restart, Salisbury conceded a penalty for not rolling away, which Walcot converted to make the score 23-10.

Another casualty, Tom Ronaboldo, left the pitch with an injury and Jeffries rotated again. For approximately 15 minutes, Salisbury needed time to adjust but finally the forwards, particularly Dom Porters’ driving support play, got to grips and Gareth Blackborrow drove over again, with the conversion kicked home by Pottage.

In the final quarter of an hour, Salisbury, leading 30- 10, still had more in the tank and this time Pottage went over for a try and converted it himself for an additional seven points. With the game already won, two tries were conceded by Salisbury late on.

Head coach Jeffries said: “I was very pleased with the result. Salisbury worked the phases very well and came away with some points whenever they made attacks into the opposition 22.

“The forwards worked very well as a unit and despite the injuries never lost their shape.”

Salisbury travel to Wimborne, one place above them in the league, on Saturday.