SALISBURY ground out a narrow 14-10 victory over Wiltshire rivals Trowbridge in a dour encounter that suited the drab February weather. The home side started purposefully and secured plentiful possession but poor decision making left points going begging and it was no surprise when Trowbridge took a lead with a penalty.

This seemed to galvanise the hosts and Dan Hammond, on his welcome return from injury, crossed for a score, unconverted.

Salisbury were playing into a strong wind and took a while to adjust their kicking game however the home support was confident that in the second half Trowbridge would find themselves pinned deep in their own half.

Sadly the wind dropped a way and two penalties from Boyd Rouse were all the reward they could gain. The visitors took their chance and a converted try brought them within a point of the home side.

Salisbury squandered a couple of chances and the game remained locked at 11-10 until Rouse added a further penalty to make the game safe.

This result completed the double over Trowbridge but came at a cost as skipper Josh Green hobbled from the fray and will need treatment this week.

It is always pleasant to welcome Dan Jeffries back to Castle Road, and it was good to secure the bragging rights for another year, but there are sterner tests on the horizon for Salisbury starting at Wimborne on Saturday.