Salisbury delivered a commanding away performance at Chippenham, running in 10 tries to overwhelm Chippenham 2nd XV and secure a 62 - 17 victory. Their fourth consecutive win in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern South. It was clear that the hosts were going to struggle to contain Salisbury’s backs who combined pace and skill to exploit almost any opening.

Despite playing into a strong wind, Salisbury started ambitiously and quickly found their rhythm. They struck first on 5 minutes when centre Roy Waters cut through Chippenham’s midfield for wing Theo Andre Browning to exploit the break and fullback Henry Toomer to finish. Aaron Hold added the conversion. Moments later Toomer scored his second after debutant second row Jack Jones barged his way into midfield from the restart. The ball was moved swiftly wide, Scotty Neary popped up in support and Toomer finished.

An impressive run through midfield by centre Fraser Doig provided Salisbury with another opportunity on 12 minutes only to be denied by the host’s scrambling defence. Scrumhalf Jacques Kinnison added the third try with prop Jack Wallace in support after Toomer broke through to create the opening. Hold added the extras to give Salisbury a 19 – 0 lead on 15 minutes. Chippenham responded positively scoring when they broke from a driving maul formed from an attacking lineout on 20 minutes. However, Salisbury had a dominant scrum and Chippenham’s lineout was unreliable so the momentum remained with the visitors. Tries followed from flanker Charlie Morris and wing Pita Moku for Salisbury to establish a 29 – 7 halftime lead.

With the wind at their backs, Salisbury resumed with purpose. Within three minutes of the restart, Andre Browning crossed to extend the lead. They sustained their momentum despite several changes. This included front rower Bobby Brown moving to No8 who then scored from an attacking scrum on 48 minutes, Waters converted. A needless penalty enabled a spirited Chippenham to kick to the corner a score from a driving maul and reduce the deficit to 41 – 12 on 54 minutes. They were then unlucky at the restart as they bounced several tackles to exit the 22 only to carelessly lose possession. Salisbury chipped through and flanker Cameron Mould gathered to score. Waters added his second conversion for a 48 – 12 lead. The lead was extended further when a clever pass from Neary presented Brown with a wicked angle to cut through and charge 30 metres for the line. Waters added another conversion.

With the lead at 55 – 12 on 62 minutes, play was paused for 30 minutes after an injury to a Chippenham player. A red card reduced Salisbury to 14 men and play was moved to another pitch. The hosts returned to play with a renewed sense of purpose. They seized on a Salisbury handling error at an attacking scrum to score their third but unconverted try.
Salisbury refocussed. Chippenham failed to deal with the restart and the visitors regained possession for the ever-present flanker Will Murley to fight his way to the line. A just reward for his tireless support play throughout the afternoon. Waters added his fourth conversion and Salisbury finished 62 – 17 winners.

Salisbury remain league leaders on points difference ahead of Devizes and will host Frome at Castle Road next Saturday.