Sun 27 Nov 11

TRIANGULAR FIXTURE AT TROWBRIDGE

The team travelled to Trowbridge for a triangular fixture against the home side and Chippenham.  It was a long journey but worth it for good rugby on well maintained flat pitches at the John of Gaunt School.  It was a bright but very chilly Sunday morning with a very cold breeze – clearly Winter setting in.  Trowbridge could not field a full side so Chippenham lent them a couple of players.  With posts on the pitch we managed to play Conversions, with long games – 15 minutes per half.

Match 1:                     Salisbury 14               Chippenham 28

Chippenham had easily beaten Trowbridge in their first match and were warmed up; they clearly caught Salisbury napping scoring 3 of their tries in the first half.  James Robson came off with an injured knee closely followed by Ben Richards who had been studded on his old injury from which he had just recovered.  Chippenham’s backs were particularly good with an excellent line and near-perfect passing.

Salisbury played much better in the second half and, after a series of drives forward, Edward Shanley crossed the line to score, which Mark Hill converted.  Tom McFarland managed a darting run to score again and regain some Salisbury pride, allowing Mark to convert again.

Match 2:                     Salisbury 14               Trowbridge 7

The Trowbridge boys were massive (I’m convinced one of them was actually a Dad) but they lacked the mobility and agility possessed by the nippy Salisbury boys.  Tom McFarland scored early in the first half.  The second half became more physical in which they boys battled against some undisciplined play and high tackles.  Tom McFarland scored his second try of the match (and third try of the day) which Harry Burke converted.  Trowbridge’s consolation try was actually scored by a Chippenham player wearing a yellow shirt.

There were some welcome hot dogs for the players at the end of play.