Salisbury RFC bounce back with win against Swanage

A minute silence for Aemistice weekend. Picture by John Palmer (Image: John Palmer) Neither side were able to fully gain control during the match but Salisbury did achieve greater territorial advantage and will have been pleased to put the disappointment of heavy away defeat to Dorchester behind them with a 21-10 home win over Swans.

Salisbury have pace and willingness to attack and were rewarded after only two minutes with an easy penalty from a Swanage offside. Ollie Bate converted.

The visitors responded soon after when their flanker Ice Kaitu burst through the midfield; Salisbury were offside at the ruck presenting Swanage with a penalty to level the score at 3-3 on nine minutes.

The hosts remained in attacking mode after the restart. Their backrow spearheaded by Mike Adams earned a further penalty deep into Swanage’s half. Bate converted to restore the lead after 12 minutes.

Despite promising breaks from centre pairing Joe Paden and Dan Hammond, no obvious pattern emerged for the much of a first half which was frequently punctuated by penalties.

The hosts had a one-man advantage for 10 minutes following Swanage receiving a yellow card for a high tackle.

Lineout errors and a scrum under some strain prevented Salisbury from sustaining pressure and making more of possession and territory. Salisbury extended their lead in the closing minutes of the half when Paden broke from the host’s 22 enabling them to clear.

They kicked a penalty for position, won the lineout and a further scrummage which was followed by a number of phases enabling wing Rob Crossley to score in the corner for an unconverted try and a 11-3 half-time lead.

Winger Rob Crossley dives over for the first try (Image: John Palmer) A sizable home crowd witnessed more of the same during the second half. Salisbury continued to dominate territory but didn’t add to their score until Bate kicked his third penalty in the 60th minute to extend the lead to 14-3.

The hosts scrummage remained under pressure but this was well managed between number eight Jake McConnell and scrum-half Jaques Kinnison who broke effectively to maintain some momentum.

Salisbury found some fluency within last 10 minutes after a kick ahead was recovered.

Hooker Bobby Brown reaches out to score the second try (Image: John Palmer) Salisbury worked through a number of phases finished by a powerful charge to the line by Bobby Brown and a try. Bate added the extras for a 21-3 lead. It was Swans who had the last word.

They ran in a well-executed try in the final move of the match, their conversion closed the deficit to 21 – 10.

Salisbury move to sixth in Counties 1 Tribute Southern South and will travel to Corsham next Saturday.