SALISBURY III 0

PUDDLETOWN 34

PUDDLETOWN whitewashed Salisbury Thirds with a resounding 34-0 victory in Dorset & Wilts Two South.

This eagerly anticipated clash between two of the division’s top teams, both looking to maintain their unbeaten record, lived up to all expectations particularly for the Villagers’ travelling support.

On the offensive from the kick-off, the visitors were forcing Salisbury to defend on their own 22 and after just five minutes this early pressure told. After the referee awarded a penalty, Tom Yeatman stepped up to slot home the three points.

Puddletown’s ascendancy continued as they pinned the home side in their own half, and with fifteen minutes gone they broke through again with Yeatman put clear by some fine handling, the centre converting his own try for a 10-0 lead.

Salisbury were competing well at the breakdown, however, and their forwards were testing the Puddletown defence with some big impacts, but the visitors were rucking better and with the ball repeatedly turned over, scrum-half and man-of-the match James Hill, with his fly-half partner Baz Dovell, were quickly able to set up their backs with ball in hand.

So it was with the third score just before half-time. With the forwards securing a solid platform out near the touchline, Dovell called the move, and the ball passed swiftly along the line to outside centre Matt Watts who had a simple run in under the posts, with Yeatman adding the extras.

Salisbury began strongly after the break, enjoying a lengthy spell of possession, but having weathered that particular storm the Villagers upped the intensity once more.

The mercurial Ryan Snook came on at full-back for his first game of the season and with his first touch, scored. Running into the line at speed, he took a short pass on half-way to outstrip his opposite number to the posts. - once again Yeatman converted.

Replacement winger Ollie Raines got on the score sheet in the last quarter, taking the final pass out wide for the bonus point try, again after a patient build-up, then Snook, running from deep again, very nearly added another, this time being well tackled just short of the line.

Finally, with just minutes to go, the Puddletown pack, who had been excellent throughout, deservedly scored one for themselves with a text-book catch and drive from five metres out, prop Jez Beale peeling off the back and crashing over in the corner.