Salisbury travelled to Cheltenham on Saturday for the first match of the league season in South West 1 East. Cheltenham have recent experience of national level 6 and are amongst the strongest opposition that Salisbury will face this season. The visitors were in no doubt about the challenge they faced made all-the-more difficult by forced changes to the front five through injury.

The hosts looked to dominate upfront and took the lead after only 8 minutes with a converted try. Salisbury weren't daunted and responded a few minutes later with a converted penalty from fly half Rory Davis. The visitors were determined to remain true to their brand of open running rugby and were soon rewarded with a try for full back Luke Tunabuna on 16 minutes. The match was keenly contested with both sides eager to start their campaigns positively but Salisbury remained in the ascendancy with a further try from wing Tom Pottage. Davis added he extras to stretch the lead to 15 - 7 on 35 minutes.  A yellow card for Tunabuna broke the visitor's rhythm late in the half and momentum swung towards the hosts. Cheltenham's forward power resulted in converted try and Salisbury's lead being cut to a single point, 15 -14 at half time.

Cheltenham remained in control from the restart and regained the lead with a try on 45 minutes but once restored to a full XV, the visitors edged in front with converted try for centre Terry Gilmour. The match was in the balance entering the final quarter as the hosts converted a penalty to level the scores at 22 - 22 on 60 minutes. Davis converted a penalty soon after but Cheltenham then added two unconverted tries and a penalty in the last 10 minutes to establish a 35 - 25 lead. Davis' penalty conversion in the dying seconds got Salisbury to within a converted score but it wasn't enough. An excellent match concluded at 35 - 28 and a win for the host's.

Despite the loss Salisbury can take great heart from the result. This was a spirited performance in which the visitor's back line and back row were particularly impressive throughout. League debutants Josh Green at No8 and Tunabuna both made major contributions. Salisbury will look forward confidently to hosting High Wycombe at Castle Road next Saturday.