Salisbury made it 3 wins on the bounce with an outstanding 52 - 6 victory over league strugglers Buckingham at Castle Road on Saturday.  Both sides did their utmost to entertain with open running rugby in what was a fitting tribute to hooker Dan Hobb's 200^th 1^st XV appearance.

Although Salisbury started confidently, it was Buckingham who scored first with well struck drop goal after only 2 minutes. The hosts struck back moments later with a penalty conversion from Rory Davis resulting from forward pressure and a second Davis penalty kick followed when Buckingham infringed at a scrummage in the 12^th minute. Momentum was now with hosts; the back-row of Jon and James Kay and Josh Green combined well in support. Strong running from second-rowers Shane Johnstone and Gordon Grant also had an impact, maintaining tempo and intensity. Salisbury began to pull away with a try from wing Tom Pottage on 15 minutes but the visitors managed to pull points back with simple penalty kick in the 23^rd minute.

With the score at 11 - 6 entering the second quarter, Salisbury increased the pace. Playing with flair and ambition they scored a further 3 trys from Luke Esnouf, Josh Green and Pottage. Pottage's try was particularly impressive; Grant charged into midfield, the ball then passed through numerous pairs of hands for Luke Tunabuna to slip the ball to Pottage to score in the corner. Salisbury now well on top with a 26 - 6 halftime lead.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first. The hosts dominated position and territory for most of the period and chalked-up another 26 unanswered points. There were tries for the Kay brothers, Esnouf and Green. Green's coming from a piece of individual skill as he chipped through gathered and touched down. Despite the score-line, Bucks didn't allow the hosts to have it all their own way. They secured greater possession during the latter stages as Salisbury became a little shapeless and only narrowly missed out on a try in the final minutes when they were held up over the line.

It is clear that confidence is growing at Castle Road. The 1^st XV squad have responded well to coach Mark Bugden's direction to "maintain accuracy for 80 minutes" but they face a far sterner test away to Bletchley next Saturday.

Team: Luke Tunabuna, Leon Taylor, Simon Quick, Richard Roe, Tom Pottage, Rory Davis, Andrew Herriott, Luke Esnouf, Dan Hobbs, Gareth Blackborow, Shane Johnstone, Gordon Grant, Jon Kay, James Kay, Josh Green. Subs: Nick Taylor (on for Hobbs 50 mins), Hamish Morton (on for Grant 60 mins), Charlie Jennings (on for Herriott 70 mins).