Salisbury produced an enterprising display in difficult conditions at Melksham on Saturday, but despite flashes of pace and invention, they were narrowly beaten 35–31 in a keenly contested match.

With a fierce crosswind making control a challenge for both sides, the contrast in styles was clear from the outset: Melksham relied on their powerful, direct forwards, while Salisbury sought to use speed and skill to stretch the defence.

The visitors made an ideal start when scrum-half Jacques Kinnison broke from a scrum to spark early momentum. Swift interplay between backs and forwards presented Salisbury with an attacking ruck only yards short. Scott Neary then crashed over after only three minutes. Ollie Bate’s conversion attempt was blown wide by the gale, leaving Salisbury 5–0 up.

Melksham hit back quickly, their dominant pack earning a penalty on seven minutes to narrow the gap to 5–3. The home side’s physicality tested Salisbury’s defence, but the visitors held firm and continued to attack with ambition. Centre Harvey Boardman made several incisive runs, and pressure told midway through the half when prop Jack Wallace dived over from close range following an attacking lineout. Bate converted to extend the lead to 12–3.

However, Melksham’s forwards began to assert themselves. A penalty on 23 minutes and a converted try six minutes later put the hosts ahead 13–12. Continued dominance at the scrum brought another converted try on 35 minutes, giving Melksham a 20–12 lead at half-time.

The second half began badly for Salisbury as Melksham’s pack again imposed their authority, driving over for converted tries on 41 and 44 minutes to stretch the lead to 30–12. Salisbury refused to fold. Their expansive play finally paid dividends when wing Theo Andre-Browning and Callum Logan combined brilliantly, Logan finishing under the posts on 57 minutes. Bate’s conversion cut the deficit to 30–19.

Moments later, Salisbury’s patience in attack following a lineout enabled Archie Reeves force his way over for an unconverted try, narrowing the gap to 30–24 as the match entered its final quarter.

Melksham responded in familiar fashion, their pack once more generating momentum before scoring an unconverted try out wide on 65 minutes to make it 35–24.
When the hosts were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card on 70 minutes, Salisbury surged again. In the closing stages, Mike Adams broke from an attacking scrum to score, with Bate adding the extras to leave the final score 35–31.

Despite the defeat, Salisbury’s resilience, attacking flair, and determination were very apparent. There was plenty to admire in their performance, and with more control in key phases, they will be confident heading into next week’s home clash against Chippenham at Castle Road.

Picture – Rob Becher competes at the lineout.

Joe Cooper