Despite the inclement weather a sizeable home crowd witnessed a tough encounter in which the host’s tenacious defence was the difference between two otherwise evenly matched teams. Frome started positively sustaining several attacking phases but these were comfortably contained by Salisbury. Pressure at the ruck earned Salisbury a penalty which they kicked to the corner. Skipper Bobby Brown broke from the driving maul to score the first unconverted try on five minutes.

The visitors continued to work through phases in attack but progress was checked by Salisbury’s commitment in defence. Additionally, Frome’s lineout failed to function effectively throughout the half preventing them from sustaining pressure. Salisbury extended their lead with an Ollie Bate penalty after a Frome infringement at the ruck and the hosts entered the second quarter with an 8 – 0 lead. Neither side had control but Salisbury seemed better equipped to exploit opportunities. They kicked a penalty to the corner, completed some patient support work for No8 Rob Becher to score their second unconverted try with only minutes of the half remaining. The visitors responded immediately when Salisbury failed to deal with a loose ball kicked through close to their line. Frome were awarded a penalty try for a deliberate knock-on and the half finished 13 – 7 in the host’s favour.

The second half continued in much the same way as the first had finished. Hotly contest but neither team in control. Salisbury’s third try came on 50 minutes when Brown gathered a Frome 22 dropout, Mica Garvey Orlitz then cut through at pace to setup a ruck deep into the visitor’s half. Wing Dan Hammond to finished in the corner. Minutes later Salisbury drove Frome off a defensive scrum, won the subsequent ruck for Garvey Orlitz to score. Ollie Bate added the extras and the hosts had a 25 – 7 lead on entering the final 10 minutes.

Credit to Frome who responded with greater tempo and urgency. Their strong and pacey backs did their utmost to stretch the host’s defence. Again, Salisbury’s defence held often spearheaded by backrowers Becher, Luke Newton and Charlie Paden. The hosts put the result beyond doubt when they chose to run a penalty, Paden to evaded a tackle to score. Bate converted from out wide and Salisbury had a 32 – 14 lead with minutes remaining. Deservedly, Frome had the last word when they gathered a loose ball and cut through a broken midfield to score and convert.

The 32 – 14 bonus point win moves Salisbury to fifth in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South, only four points behind league-leaders Swanage & Wareham. They travel to Corsham next week.

See here for am album of photos from the game.

Joe Cooper
Pictures: John Palmer.