Newbury 57-17 Salisbury

SALISBURY RFC travelled to table topping Newbury with another cobbled together side and produced a much better performance in defeat than could have reasonably been expected.

Dave Tonge became the fourth captain of the season and could not have been too disappointed by the application of the side throughout.

Newbury are top for good reason, undefeated and with a try bonus in every match bar one thus far, and were on the score sheet in four minutes running a clearance back strongly. The visitors rallied and Ross Stanley used his electric pace to cut a swathe through the home defence for a try. Conditions were difficult and the conversion drifted wide.

The hosts added three more tries but a response by Chris Beaumont on the stroke of half time, converted by Dan Luedicke gave the scoreboard a reasonable look and cheered the visiting support.

The second half saw Newbury slowly but surely stretch away despite some furious defence by Salisbury, Joey Goldsmith, Bobby Saunders and Tonge to the fore.

Despite brief spells of attack the visitors were unable to cross for a further score until the dying seconds when Beaumont drove over for a his second.

The final score line of 57-17 was not good but coach John Kimberley was honest in his assessment and said: "Given the circumstances it was not a bad performance, the boys stuck at it all game, but he will hope for better at Castle Road this Saturday when Oxford come calling."

Salisbury United and Bournemouth III XV played a 17 all tie last weekend.

Salisbury second string came to life when 12-3 behind and took the lead at 17-12 through tries by Tom Horbury and Gerry Nurrumn.

The visitors took advantage of a yellow card to level, but were hard pressed to keep Salisbury out at the end.