SALISBURY RFC's title hopes were struck a crushing blow after losing a titanic table-top showdown 29-14 to leaders Towcestrians, who went eight points clear at the top of South West 1 (East).

The costly defeat for Green and Whites, their second in three games, saw them come out second best on a mud-soaked battlefield.

The home side started more brightly, forcing Salisbury to defend.

At a defensive scrummage, the visitors failed to control the ball and Towcestrians pounced to open the scoring.

Salisbury, to their credit, rallied and dominated the remainder of the half, the forwards gaining the upper hand in the set piece, and Liam Gilbert produced a masterclass in the line out.

Dave Tonge marshalled play well behind the pack with some darting runs and clever kicking.

Two Lane penalties and the try of the game saw Salisbury with an 8-11 lead at half time. A break by Jamie Miller found Rob Best outside who, in turn, released Gilbert, before receiving the return and setting Tom Pottage on his way to the line.

The home side were again brighter at the start of the second period and were rewarded with two converted tries as they played down the slope into the corner.

Lane managed to claw back a penalty before Towcestrians converted a penalty try at the death.

Head coach Dan Jeffries said: "Saturday was bitterly disappointing, we had the edge on them.

However they had a very precise set of backs who scored two very well executed tries and proved why they are at the top of the league. We lost our composure for 2 periods of the game and it cost us dearly but the boys will have learnt a great deal from it."

Salisbury A VX won a tight contest at Swanage and Wareham, 17-27. The game was in the balance until a late James Humphries try settled it.