Salisbury Barbarian Exiles were reminded of the cliché ‘a game of two halves’ and the University of Bath Sports Ground where they travelled to take on Combe Down IIs last Saturday afternoon. A late change of venue and shortage of players did nothing to assist the visitors’ pre-match preparation and this was demonstrated with two early tries from the home side in abysmal driving rain and a fierce wind into the right hand corner. Starting with just fourteen players, Exiles were unable to field a full back and so what was already a challenging situation for wingers, George Beevor and debutant Ollie Mullan even more of an uphill struggle, although in the circumstances, most of the deeper kicks were returned into the wind. Circumstances got even worse when lock Rob Parsons had to leave the field for ten minutes for treatment, leaving the visitors with just thirteen.
The homes side thus concentrated their attacking through the middle with good running off the loose scrum frequently breaking tackles and gaps in the Salisbury defence opening up as the Exiles backs got drawn in. Further tries followed and the half time score was an unassailable 55-0.
A return to fifteen aside, and the benefit of the wind being in their favour boosted the Exiles but there must have been something in the team talk of coaches Phil Griffiths and Will Roper, as well as stand in skipper Craig Marshall, as they completely turned around the performance in the second half.
Craig Marshall narrowly missed with a drop goal attempt from outside the 22 before scrum half Max Hamer had one try disallowed by the referee on the grounds of not having been grounded but minutes later he was again carried over by the forwards, and indeed some backs, and this time the referee awarded the try. The hosts responded with two, one of which was converted but few could argue that is was an impressive second half from the Salisbury men, particularly the three quarters who’s rush defence has misfired all season, suddenly managed to drive the home side back on their own possession.
With just one league game of the season to go, the Exiles should now be assured of fourth place and will reflect on an inconsistent season as they go into the summer break with much to build on.
