Salisbury travelled to Dorchester on Saturday keen to put a home defeat to Walcot behind them, but came up short of a victory.

After a bright start in which Salisbury looked the much the better side with ball in hand, but Dorchester’s dominant scrum helped them control much of the afternoon to record a 44 – 22 win.

From the start Salisbury wanted to move possession and inject pace whenever possible. A talented backline led by Hugh Bate at fly half and comprising Theo Andre-Browning, Dan Hammond, Bobby Spiers, Ben Armitage and Rob Crossly looked sharp but were all-to-often thwarted by handling errors.

As a result, the scrummage featured strongly throughout and clearly favoured Dorchester who took full advantage.

That being said, Mike Adams at No. 8 and Jacques Kinnison at scrumhalf did well to secure possession from a retreating scrum and make the most of some difficult situations. Kinnison’s service from the base was excellent all afternoon.

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Scrum-half Jacques Kinnison dives over for the third try (Image: John Palmer) The hosts took the lead on 8 minutes with a penalty but Salisbury countered with a try on 11 minutes. They cleared a Dorchester kick, pressured the receiver and earned a penalty which was they kicked for position.

A well-executed line out enabled the forwards to form a driving maul for Gareth Blackborrow to score. Bate added the extras and Salisbury were leading 3 – 7.

Dorchester narrowed the margin with a penalty in the 16th minute but it was the visitors who had the momentum and exhibited the greater skill.

Bate kicked well and flanker Tristan Jones earned a penalty for Bate to convert and extend the lead to 6 – 10 on 22 minutes.

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A forward drive brings the first try, for prop Gareth Blackborrow (Image: John Palmer) Momentum shifted in the second quarter as Dorchester’s scrum prevented the visitors from imposing any pressure.

The hosts gained in confidence and found space out wide on 30 minutes. A determined cover tackle from fullback Crossley prevented an almost certain score but the hosts were able to move the ball back inside.

They found another opening to score a converted try. Their second came after Salisbury’s retreating scrum enabled them to break into midfield, score and establish a 20 – 10 halftime lead.

Dorchester dominated the third quarter scoring three unanswered tries to extend the lead to 37 – 10. Salisbury then regrouped.

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Flanker Bobby Spiers counter-attacks (Image: John Palmer) Earning a penalty from a restart; they kicked into the corner and completed another driving maul perfectly for Blackborrow’s second try on 65 minutes.

The visitors third try followed a few minutes later when a further penalty was sent to the corner. Salisbury’s forward drive gave them a clear attacking opportunity when the ball was released only metres short of Dorchester’s line. Kinnison to darted under the posts for a converted try.

With the score at 37 – 22 entering the final 10 minutes a fightback seemed possible but Dorchester were determined to secure only their second win this season. They retained possession for much of the final few minutes and scored a final try in the match’s final play to finish 44 – 22.

Salisbury will take a break from league action until they host Swanage & Wareham on November 9 at Castle Road.