WITH an almost identical scoreline to their early season home defeat to Abbey, it might appear that Salis-bury have made no headway in the intervening period.

But while the score in no way flattered the home side, it was evident that Salisbury's forwards have made significant improvements in the last three months.

Salisbury's pack matched their opponents in every phase of play and even in the strength-sapping second half when the weight difference should have slowed them, they gave and asked no quarter.

Abbey's advantage was in the back-line where at times they seemed to have twice as many players on the field as they attacked in waves, with support players appearing left and right.

Some of this was due to Salisbury committing too many forwards to already lost rucks while Abbey stood off and created running options.

With Dave Bell sidelined through injury, the visitors lacked penetration in the centre and men were caught in possession too often without sufficient support to allow the pass out of the tackle.

These are things easily addressed on the training field and with the pack's early season problems sorted, it is to be hoped that this area is speedily resolved.

Salisbury opened the scoring after a spirited attack from the kick off took them to the edge of the 22.

Abbey's number 11 rehearsed a tap dance sequence on Parsons' head and King easily converted the resultant penalty but had to leave the field shortly afterwards with a pulled hamstring to be replaced by Sean Scaife.

But Abbey's backs then took control and their speed and inter-passing created overlaps at will to give their speedy wingers a brace of tries.

The second half started badly when captain Don Parsons dislocated a thumb although his replacement, Richard Burden, staked his claim for the future with a display of fast aggressive rugby.

For the rest of the half, Salisbury had to defend and in the main, their commitment and willingness to put in tackle after tackle was a tribute to the team's spirit.

Winger Pete Upton's defence was particularly awesome and he single- handily stopped at least five tries.

But Abbey's relentless wave of attackers always seemed to have the extra option and as soon as a gap appeared another try was notched up.

Salisbury's only try arrived late on after series of hard fought drives resulted in a lineout on Abbey's ten yard line.

The home side won the lineout, but their scrum half was scragged in possession and replacement prop Mark Parrott somehow retrieved the ball from an almost-impossible position to allow John Penry to dummy and jink his way over the line for an unconverted try.

On Saturday, Salis-bury's first team are home to Oakmedians in the semi-final of the Dorset & Wilts Cup, while the club's seconds visit Dorchester for a Dorset & Wilts Merit Table clash. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.