By Stuart McArdell, Salisbury Press Officer

After the final whistle of their 60-21 defeat of High Wycombe, anxious Salisbury players and officials waited on the pitch for the results from Wimborne and Stow-on-the-Wold that would decide their fate next season. First came the news that Wimborne had won - and Salisbury’s fate hung on the result from Stow. Finally the score came through - Windsor had beaten Stow by only 7 points and the cheers rang out before everyone set about celebrating knowing that they were staying in South West 2.

The home game had started in electrifying style with a Salisbury try inside two minutes but soon the visitors chipped over Salisbury’s flat defence and won the race to touch down. With the conversion secured Salisbury were two points down. But not for long. With everything to play for, Salisbury were crashing through defenders and scorching through to score time and again. At 22-7, they should have been secure, but at this stage most of the attacking work was being done by the three-quarters whilst the forwards were struggling for supremacy. This allowed Wycombe’s pack to drive a maul deep into Salisbury’s 22 before their backs split Salisbury’s defence with a classic scissors move to score and convert the try.

Director of Rugby Richard Larcombe whipped the forwards into action during the break and the effect was noticeable and Salisbury were on the attack from the restart. It was far from a one-sided contest, Wycombe putting tough pressure on Salisbury’s defence. Salisbury‘s backs, however took on the opposition in waves of attack. With the win and the future secure, winger Stefan Kruger, voted Salisbury’s man of the match, proceeded to beat Wycombe’s nominated forward hands down in the traditional pint of cider race.