Salisbury’s 1st XV produced a fluent attacking display to gain revenge over Melksham 2nd XV, running in seven tries to secure a 41–29 league victory at Castle Road.

Having suffered a narrow defeat in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Salisbury were keen to set the record straight and did so with a dominant performance for much of the match. This was despite pre-match disruption to their backrow due to a warm up injury to No8 Rob Beecher. Luke Newton ably moved across from the flank and contributed much to Salisbury’s win.

There was an obvious difference in style. The visitors were bulky and confrontational running direct lines into the midfield. Salisbury were the more creative and applied greater width to their attack. Melksham enjoyed plenty of early possession whilst Salisbury were forced to absorb several heavy assaults. Eventually Salisbury exited their half and were awarded a scrum from which to attack. Flyhalf Mica Garvey Ortiz kicked through for Newton to regain possession from a ruck on the visitors’ line to score on 8 minutes. The hosts had found their rhythm often triggered by scrumhalf Jacques Kinnison who was excellent throughout, whipping the ball away from the base to sustain tempo.

Salisbury’s second try came on 16 minutes. Centre Harvey Boardman broke through the midfield after several phases and some impressive handling for wing Fraser Wilson to finish and establish a 10 – 0 lead. Melksham responded minutes later. The hosts were reduced to 14 after a yellow card and Melksham took advantage. A set piece move at a lineout enabled them to crash over.

Despite conceding a try momentum remained with the hosts. Flyhalf Mica Garvey Ortiz added the third try with a clever chip ahead, touching down before fullback Ollie Bate added the conversion. Salisbury continued to stretch the Melksham defence, winger Dan Hammond crossed out wide for the fourth try. After a lengthy stoppage for an injury to Salisbury prop Jack Wallace, Melksham ended the half with a second try, leaving Salisbury 24–10 ahead at the break.

In the second half the home side picked up where they left off. They created space for centre Roy Waters to finish and add Salisbury’s fifth try five minutes into the half, again converted by Bate. A further try followed immediately when Kinnison exploited some loose defending to score from close range. A position resulting from a storming length-of-the-field effort from flanker Bradley Emanuel following the restart.

Salisbury began to falter but despite this, Wilson claimed his second try on 70 minutes, taking Salisbury into a commanding 41–10 lead and seemingly out of reach. However, injury and several substitutions had taken their toll. Clearly fatigued, Salisbury could not contain Melksham’s aggression and strong runners in the last 10 minutes. They ran in three unanswered tries, converting two to narrow the margin to 41 – 29.

Salisbury’s earlier dominance won them the match with a bonus point. They move up to fourth in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South, very much in contention for promotion. They will travel to league strugglers Chippenham next Saturday.

Pictures: John Palmer