SECOND-PLACED Salisbury RFC were made to work hard against lowly Swanage and Wareham on Saturday, holding on for a 22-19 victory.

The depleted Green and Whites made the trip to Dorset expecting a tough encounter despite the home team having won just three games all campaign.

With back row forward Josh Green making his 100th appearance, Salisbury got off to a fast start in the bright spring sunshine when Rob Larcombe’s pass sent winger Dan Hammond speeding for the line with less than 60 seconds played.

This should have been the ideal foundation to build a victory but it did not turn out that way. Swans forced their way back into the game with their forwards fighting for hard yards before releasing the backs, and before half time, they had scored two tries, both converted, to lead 14-5.

A great break from Jamie Miller should have been rewarded with a score but their execution in the final third was poor – as was their game management.

Salisbury, with Dan Hobbs adding some steel up front, clawed their way back in the second half and a delicate kick through by Charlie Jennings saw Christian Metson pick up and score, converted by Tom Lane. Miller broke again and found Tom Pottage in support and in for the lead.

A final try from Hammond, finishing a good move across the back line, made the bonus point safe, although Salisbury had to weather a period of Swans pressure – which resulted in an unconverted try – for the win, 19-22.

Coach Dan Jeffries said: “We made the first half difficult for ourselves, we scored and took our foot off of the pedal. We made poor decisions. We did not gain enough territory. In the second half we tightened our game up and played much better.

"I am happy with the five points.”

AN inspired display by James Bagguley was not quite enough to earn Salisbury United a victory as they fell to a 31-26 defeat against North Dorset. Two tries from Bagguley, and one apiece for Mark Lerpeniere and James Wright, secured two bonus points.