Bracknell welcomed back to the starting XV a number of players who did not make the losing trip to Bournemouth in the last game of 2016. Tom William, James Ingle, Chris Brember, Anthony Fitch and Lewis Franklin all retuning while Daniel Carpo was making his 1XV debut for Bracknell.

Bracknell starting the game playing towards the clubhouse in their changed black strip.

It was Sailsbury that would opening the scoring with a converted try following a break down the right hand flank within the first five minutes. Salisbury extended their lead with another converted try on the 20 minute mark, coming off a catch and drive from a line out in the Bracknell 22.

With Salisbury enjoying most of the possession, Bracknell were unable to string any plays together. Salisbury converted the possession into scoreboard points with two further penalties from full back Tom Lane, taking their lead to 20 points to nil.

It took just before half time for Bracknell to get onto the score board. A line out catch and drive, joined by both backs and forwards, was deemed by referee Charlie Gayther to have been brought to the ground illegally by Salisbury, and awarded a penalty try to Bracknell. Conversion by Chris Laidler was good.

Half time 7-20

Bracknell opened the scoring in the second half, winger Ben Yates seizing on a loose ball to score under the Salisbury posts. Conversion kicked by Chris Laidler. 14-20. The Bracknell supporters starting to believe that a comeback may be possible.

Within three minutes a Salisbury try put a wedge in any likely Bracknell comeback. A Salisbury catch and drive, almost a carbon copy of Bracknell’s score in the first half, took the score to 14-27.

Halfway through the second half a pacey break by Ben Yates, saw him score his second try of the afternoon. A missed conversion and a later failure to kick a penalty in front of the Salisbury posts meant that Bracknell could not secure a losing bonus point from the afternoon.

Full time: Bracknell 19 Salisbury 27 (Points: Bracknell 0 Salisbury 4)

Bracknell must now re-group in time for next week when Brixham visit Lily Hill next Saturday (KO 2.15pm) There is a Former Players Lunch the same day starting at 12pm, should you wish to attend then please contact Ken Ramsden or Steve Ward to book a place.

Bracknell: 1. Tom Williams 2. Bradley Walters 3. Jonny Mirza 4. Leo Bailey 5. Kim Plant 6. Lachy Valentine 7. Daniel Carpo 8. James Ingle 9. Lewis Franklin 10. Chris Laidler 11. Ben Yates 12. Chris Brember (c) 13. Ben Sanderson 14. Ian Burch 15. Antony Fitch Replacements: 16. Gareth Staples 17. Matt Lamin 18. Jack Conway