Salisbury Swanage & Wareham 15 Salisbury 0

Rugby: AFTER a game that Salisbury lost by only two tries and a penalty to the league leaders, they were paid the ultimate compliment.

One of the Swanage supporters complain-ed bitterly that Salisbury 'didn't let us play rugby today.'

The truth was that Salisbury were on top for much of the game and with only a modicum of luck and a little more self belief they could have won.

With key jumper Jeff Niblett unavailable, the middle of the line jumping went to flanker James Burn-side who acquitted himself well.

But if the line out clicked, the scrummaging went backwards too often to allow the three-quarters the attacking options they craved.

Despite this the sheer ferocity and determination of Salis-bury's play in defence and attack never let the Swans develop their game. Flanker Kevin Morgan was a particular thorn in their side all afternoon.

Both sides missed two kickable penalties in the first half but Swan's luck changed right on the 40 minutes when Phil Graves took them into the break with a three-point lead.

Using the following wind to gain territorial advantage, Swans put Salisbury under ten minutes of sustained pressure until the ball was jarred from a defenders hand on the line and Swans hooker Rob Elford dived to secure the try.

Salisbury fought back and had their best chance of the half when at last, the back line gave first time ball through the hands to winger Tom Bucking-ham whose pace took him into Swans half before running out of support.

Swans retaliated with battering surges from their big forwards that sucked in Salisbury's defence.

At just the right moment, they released the ball to their winger who went outside his marker before his inside pass found his captain Phil Graves, who touched down and converted.

Unfazed, Salisbury started to run the ball from every quarter of the field, testing Swans defence to the limit.

But the rally was too late. Yet had Salisbury unleashed their talented backs earlier, they could well have poached an away victory.

Despite their heavy injury list, they can look forward to Satur-day's match at home to Amersham and Chil-tern, with a realistic prospect of victory.