WITH four games to go, Salisbury RFC need to find some form if they are to pull-off the Great Escape.

Saturday’s 21-19 home defeat to Newton Abbot deepened Green and Whites’ relegation woes as they are wedged in the bottom three.

They are locked on the same points (38) as Launceston and eight adrift of safety.

An early score by the visitors was cancelled out when Salisbury’s pack drove Daniel Bennett over for a score.

The home side then enjoyed a good spell and, when Ollie Bowden fielded a clearance, he found support from Dave Tonge, the ball switched left through the hands of Gareth Blackborrow and Matt Loader to Rob Larcombe who had picked a superb line to cross for a try, Tom Lane adding the conversion.

Salisbury stretched their lead in the second period when Tonge broke between tackles and fed Josh Green who stormed in for a score, Lane again converting for an eight-point lead.

The game swung from end-to-end but the Devon side pulled themselves back into contention with a try from a driving maul converted by Ollie Avery-White and attacked relentlessly. The city side’s defence held firm until a penalty broke the hearts of Salisbury players and supporters alike.

Green and Whites’ next game is a week Saturday away at second-placed Dings Crusaders.

They then host Old Redcliffians before visiting Hornets then Bournemouth on the last day of the season - Saturday, April 22.

Elsewhere, Salisbury RFC Girls romped to a 55-15 victory over Warminster RFC.