Salisbury travelled to mid-table Dorchester on Saturday and extended their unbeaten league run to 16 after one of their toughest fixtures. The Dorset side have an impressive home record and challenged the visitors forcing them to play some of the season's best rugby during the early exchanges.

Salisbury played into the wind but excellent support play and ruthless finishing enabled them to take an early lead. Second row Dave Thorpe was the first to score on 4 minutes and was followed in quick succession by two trys from centre Simon Smith and the fourth from prop George Morgan. Rory Davis kicked 3 conversions to establish a 26 point lead in as many minutes. Despite the deficit, Dorchester were more competitive during the second quarter. Salisbury dropped a pass under pressure for the hosts to gather and score a under the posts. With a simple conversion added and the wind in their favour, Dorchester returned to the visitors 22. In determined mood they sustained pressure and eventually breached Salisbury's defences in the 35^th minute. With extras added the half concluded at 14 - 26.

Dorchester were undeterred when facing the wind. Their pack was highly effective and kept them supplied with quality possession. Consequently, Salisbury were unable to control proceedings as they had done earlier but used the wind to establish field position for Thorpe to score his second try on 50 minutes. Davis converted to stretch the visitor's lead to 19 points but Dorchester weren't going quietly. Their pack remained competitive but they were unable to turn pressure into points and Salisbury finally settled the contest when substitute Luke Esnouf broke from a ruck to touch down in the dying minutes. Davis added his 5^th conversion for a 40 - 14 win.

Salisbury are now 6 matches away from an unbeaten season and will travel to second-from-bottom Bridport next Saturday.

Team:  Richard Roe, Dave Salomon, Simon Smith, James Starkey, Phil Carr, Rory Davis, Andrew Herriot, George Morgan, Gareth Blackborow, Rich West, Dave Thorpe, Matt Pallas (pictured on the charge), Will Whyte, James Kay, Liam Gilbert. Subs: Luke Esnouf (on for Morgan), Bobby Saunders (on for Salomon) and David Tonge (on for Herriot).