Salisbury travelled to Swindon on Saturday to produced a their most complete performance of the season comfortably defeating the hosts 48–12. Running in seven tries they maintained tempo and accuracy throughout.

The visitors struck almost immediately having quickly established field position. They moved the ball swiftly from an attacking scrum to present wing Theo Andre Browning with space to finish. Ollie Bate added the extras for a 7 – 0 lead on seven minutes. Swindon responded with a series of rucks which were easily contained by an aggressive and well marshalled Salisbury defence. Pressure at the ruck earned the visitors a penalty which Bate slotted establishing a 10 – 0 lead on 14 minutes.

Salisbury had clearly found their rhythm entering the second quarter. A Swindon clearance kick was gathered and immediately run back. Salisbury’s forwards and backs combined in attack for lock Sam Goldsmith to charge close to the line enabling Jacques Kinnison to finish. Bate added another conversion and stretched the lead to 17 – 0. Matters worsened for the hosts when they were reduced to 14 following a yellow card minutes later.
The visitors quickly exploited the numerical advantage when substitute Bradley Emmuel gathered a loose ball, evaded several tackles to score under the posts on 34 minutes. Another Bate conversion gave Salisbury a 24 – 0 lead going into to halftime.

The early stages of the second half continued in much the same pattern. Salisbury controlled possession and territory, moving the ball with confidence and forcing Swindon to defend in extended periods. The visitors centre pairing of Harvey Boardman and Roy Waters dominated the midfield and were instrumental in most of what Salisbury created that afternoon. Further Salisbury tries from Waters and Mica Garvey Oritz followed on 43 and 50 minutes. Another Bate conversion gave the visitors a 36 – 0 lead entering the final quarter.

Moments later Salisbury encountered their only significant wobble of the match. Credit to Swindon who mounted a spirited fightback. Their No8 Peter Kewell rampaged through the midfield on several occasions and was difficult to stop. A series of penalties conceded in quick succession gave Swindon meaningful field position. The hosts capitalised, crossing for their first try and adding a conversion on 63 minutes. Salisbury struck back from the restart and moved the ball efficiently from an attacking scrummage. Andre Browning’s pace and strength enabled him to finish the move in the 67th minute. Again, Swindon fought back, another Salisbury infringement allowed them to build pressure once more. They set up an unstoppable driving maul and scored their second converted try with 10 minutes remaining.

The visitors regained their composure and reasserted control in the closing minutes. They kicked a penalty into the corner, drove the maul at the lineout and earned a further penalty and elected to scrummage. Moving the ball wide they created space and recycled for No8 Mike Adams to finish. A final Bate conversion gave Salisbury a 48 – 12 bonus point win.

They will host Frome at Castle Road next Saturday in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South.

See here for an album of photos from the game.

Joe Cooper
Pictures: John Palmer.