SALISBURY RFC picked up a potentially season-defining 42-22 victory over basement boys Bromsgrove in their quest to stave off the threat of relegation from National League 3 South West.

Green and Whites had to do it the hard way, though, as they found themselves trailing 15-3 after 16 minutes at Castle Road.

Jon Critchlow ran through unhindered from halfway in the first minute and, after Critchlow and Tom Lane had exchanged penalties, smooth transfer of the ball put Josh Holt outside to score a second converted try.

Salisbury hit back as Matt Loader jinked his way over the whitewash, Lane converted.

Inspired by this, the Salisbury pack continued to exert their influence and Matt Dawson, whose ball-carrying has been missed by Salisbury recently, made a piercing run and off-loaded to skipper Josh Green for a score, converted by Lane to give Salisbury a barely deserved lead at 17-15.

However, it didn't last long as Ollie Bache scored a try, converted by Critchlow, to give the Worcestershire visitors a 22-17 lead at half time.

A marked improvement was needed from Neil Loader's men in the second 40 minutes, and they got it.

Lane kicked a penalty and Dave Tonge's quick-thinking at a short penalty was rewarded in a try for Green in the corner, putting Salisbury back in the lead.

Dawson then added a try, converted by Lane, before they were reduced to 13 men after receiving two yellow cards.

But a penalty from 50 metres by Lane and a final try from Green, converted by Lane, at the death saw Salisbury run out as 42-22 winners.

The win moves the club one more place up the league table, two points behind Lydney who play their game in hand this Saturday while everyone else has a free weekend.