Sun 16 Oct 11

SALISBURY FESTIVAL

The fine weather felt more like early September than mid-October for this year’s Salisbury Festival.  A long day with 20 players rolling out to represent the U12s.  As a new development, the festival rules permitted 5 points for a try and allowed conversion to score an additional 2 points.

Match 1:         Salisbury 5     Topsham 7

Relative newcomers Topsham travelled a long way to the Festival but it was worth it as they eventually made it to the Cup Final.  Salisbury piled on the pressure in the first half to no avail.  It wasn’t until early in the second half that the pressure paid off and Tom McFarland grew another 4 inches as he stretched to get over the line.  Regrettably, the new conversion rules, especially that the kick must be taken within 60 seconds of the try, caused Josh Ellis to miss.  We weren’t particularly bothered even when Topsham scored an equalising try.  It wasn’t until they converted it and the referee called out the final score, that we realised how close we had come, but had eventually lost the match.  Even worse, Ben Richards limped off with a swollen foot which it turns out (following a visit to A&E), is broken.

Match 2:         Salisbury 14   Devises 0

A much better match with an early try for Harry Mould following a good straight run through the opposition; Josh Ellis converted.  Josh then scored our second try with a long diagonal run into the opposite corner, topping it off with an easy conversion.
Devises clearly woke up and were much stronger in the second half but failed to score.  Moment of the match was Tom McFarland’s run across two thirds of the pitch following Josh Ellis’ clearance kick, ending in a superb tackle. A good result.

Match 3:         Salisbury 12    Sherborne 7

Sherborne shocked us with an early try.  Tom McFarland was within a gnat’s whisker of equalising but was scragged back over the line by the opposition.  Time and again Salisbury threw themselves onto the ramparts of Sherborne defence but failed to breach them until Tom McFarland finally managed to score, with Josh Ellis converting.  It looked like it was going to be a draw, but in the final play of the match Edward Shanley looked certain to score had a Sherborne player not employed a dangerously high tackle.  The Wimborne referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try with a resultant Salisbury victory.

Match 4:         Salisbury 0   Bradford upon Avon 0

Salisbury had to win this match to go though for the Plate.  The teams were very closely matched; although Salisbury had the greater possession they failed to capitalise on it and, despite frantic efforts the score remained nil-nil throughout.

As a result Salisbury failed to get through to the Plate Final by one point. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride; but it was a good day’s rugby.  Get well soon Ben.