SALISBURY RFC are still searching for their first win of 2018 in South West One East after they lost 28-19 at Oxford Harlequins last weekend.

The visitors were forced to make late changes for their trip to Oxford with Callum MacTaggart reverting to fullback and Dirk Knight rising from the ranks of the United XV to fill the troublesome number 9 jersey.

The visitors started briskly with Knight switching play quickly before a superb solo break by Ollie Bowden saw him sprinting half the pitch to touch down, Jack Sheldrake adding the conversion.

Quins rallied and only a try saving tackle denied them a score in the corner, but from a scrummage Fotu Latu proved to be impossible to stop and the sides were level at seven apiece.

This score seemed to give the home side confidence and a slick handling move saw them score again. Salisbury did not lay down and scorer turned provider as a superb cross-field chip from Ollie Bowden was gathered by Jon Goldsmith for a try and the sides turned around with the score 14-17.

Quins applied pressure as Salisbury failed to play to their strengths and, when the visitors failed to clear their lines, pounced for another score. The game continued in the same vein and the hosts looked to have put the game out of sight when, despite brave defence, Fotu Latu forced his way over for another.

The visitors certainly did not share this view and a superb break from Callum MacTaggart was finished off by Goldsmith for what proved to be the final score of the game.

Next up is a home game with Royal Wootton Bassett on Saturday.

Salisbury’s second string were unable to turn a lot of constructive rugby moments into points, going down to a much improved Lytchett Minster team 24-13.

The early exchanges were all Salisbury, but their only reward was a solitary penalty from Jamie Wright.

Salisbury fell behind twice either side of tries for Theo Daniel and skipper Mike Dauwalder, but led 13-12 at half-time.

Salisbury outside half Matt Loader has secured a move to Amatori Catania in Sicily who ply their trade in Italia Serie B.

All at Salisbury Rugby Club wish Matty success in his venture