SALISBURY RFC turned in a much better performance and will probably feel aggrieved that they let this game slip away losing 53-29, against a young and settled Sherborne side who have enjoyed a good start to the season.

Adam Clayson opened the scoring after a brisk and positive start by the hosts but Sherborne pulled a score back before skipper Dave Tonge broke down the left wing and drew the cover before sending Dan Hammond racing over for a try, Clayson doing the honours with the kick.

When Salisbury were promoted to national Division 3 a few short years ago it was Tom Lane who kicked the points to get them there, but returning in the visitors’ strip he crossed under the posts and converted to reclaim the lead. Sherborne’s forwards extended this further before Hammond grabbed a second score, again converted by Clayson to level.

Two second half scores for the visitors to a single riposte from Blake Ryder, darkened the mood for the home support and as Salisbury’s young side tired, veterans Tom Pottage and Richard West joined the fray. Sadly the visitors could now sent blood and three more tries and a penalty saw them home despite Hammond completing his hat trick, Clayson adding the points.

The score line does not reflect the effort and industry of the home side and green shoots of recovery can be seen. There is a long way to go this season and it will be tough but Salisbury are not the only side suffering and will be looking to further improve at Trowbridge this week.

The United XV carried on their strong form with an assured 27-17 bonus point victory over Wimborne’s second string. A try from Bond Carter cutting an incisive line from scrum ball settled any early nerves. Joel Wise then stretched the lead finishing off two more team moves before the break. Playing downhill in the second half, two more tries came from Cameron Mould and Captain Scotty Nicol, securing the bonus point and the victory. A late Wimborne rally, a handful of untaken opportunities and missed conversions took some of the polish of the final score line of 27-17. A positive result against a good team builds momentum for a clash with Dorset Dockers next week.

A spirited performance by the A XV saw them lose out 29-5 to a well drilled Oakmedians second fifteen. Man of the match James gamble grabbed the visitors’ sole score. Skipper Col Horne said “We can all hold our heads high after that effort. Every man on the field gave it their all against a well drilled side and our attitude throughout was spot on. If we can take the intensity that we showed at the beginning and end of the match and control it for longer, the return leg will have a very different result.”