A dark, slightly drizzly 0700 start followed by 2 hours stuck on a coach was not the ideal beginning for Salisbury.  On this Remembrance Sunday a 2 minute silence was observed at 1028 hrs.

Pool Match 1

Salisbury 1                 Saracens’ Fez Heads 0

After a long wait, 3 hours after we arrived at the club-house, the play started against the Saracens’ Fez Heads, with a referee who was very careful to note every knock-on.  The Fez-Heads played well but a long, attritional drive by Salisbury allowed Josh Ellis to get within range and dash the final 10 yards to score.

In the second half Salisbury should have scored twice more.  Tom McFarland scored and the referee awarded it – but the touch-judge shouted that the ball had not been grounded and the referee changed his mind!  On the final play of the match Jacob Collins should have scored, but was held up by the Fez Heads and was unable to ground the ball.

A good start by Salisbury.

Pool Match 2

Salisbury  0    Hertford 1

A hard fought match against powerful and skilful opponents.  This was proper man's-rugby; the drizzle became more persistent and the ball became more slippery as the pitch degraded.  Both teams slogged it out for the first half and it was clear that Hertford were shocked and worried – they had expected to have an easy match.

The second half began with similar attritional play but then disaster struck.  A lucky Herford player intercepted a Salisbury pass and sprinted over the line to score.  This was exactly the move practiced by ourselves at Dorchester 2 weeks earlier and used to such great effect by Harry Mould on that day; but this time we were hoisted by our own petard.  Salisbury fought back magnificently, but there just wasn’t enough time to equalize.

This was a defeat, but only just.  Salisbury were unlucky.

Our spirits were enlivened by the arrival of Domino’s Pizza, sponsors of the Festival.

Pool Match 3

Salisbury 0                 Cambridge 0

A difficult match played in increasingly intemperate conditions.  At its best the pitch was the consistency of porridge, at its worst it was oxtail soup. Salisbury overmatched their opponents but failed to make it over the line for a try.

Pool Match 4

Salisbury 2                 Harrow 1

Having watched their form throughout the day, Harrow were reckoned to be a difficult team to take on.  The teams were evenly matched and Salisbury played their hearts out with excellent rucking and mauling from both sides.  James Robson opened the scoring for Salisbury, bouncing through the opposition like a pinball as they scrambled to gain traction and slow him down. 

Undeterred, Harrow managed to sneak one in to level the scores. With fire in their bellies Salisbury fought like lions spending the majority of the second half camped on the Harrow try-line with bodies everywhere.  The tension was electric and the 7 minutes seemed to last forever.  Salisbury deserved the try, but never seemed to make it over.  At last James Robson saw a chance, took it, and secured victory for Salisbury in the final play of the game.

Third and Fourth Place Play-Off

Salisbury 2                 Maidenhead 4

Elated by their previous win, Salisbury were in high spirits as they faced Maidenhead, who had come second place in Group A.  Maidenhead were a strong team and scored the first try wide into the corner.  But Salisbury fought back and Jacob Collins found his form, fired up the engines, and powered over the line.  Maidenhead replied in quick succession however with two tries.

In the second half Jacob Collins scored his second try after a long hard slog leaving Salisbury only one try behind.  But Maidenhead reinforced their position with a fourth try and kept Salisbury at bay until full time.

It was a long hard day of excellent rugby.  Salisbury traditionally do better in inclement weather.  Spirits were high for the long coach journey home.  We look forward to facing our more usual rivals – including Wimborne – and putting into practice what we have learned.