The programme notes billed this game as being sponsored in memory of Chris Whittaker, who left a generous legacy to our club. Some of that legacy has been used to rebuild the dug outs and a plaque in memory of Chris is on the inside wall to honour his legacy and especially what he did for the club over the years. Chris' sons Dickon and Ashley were guests at lunch on Saturday and at half time they came over to the dug out and had a few photos taken of themselves next to their dad's plaque. They would have been very proud of the fact that Chris was so well respected. But the Whitaker family involvement doesn't end there, it goes back one generation further with Dickon and Ashley's grandfather, Len Whittaker, being one of the founding members of the club.

In terms of the rugby, at the final whistle on the weekend, there was a collective sigh of relief. At one stage it seemed Blues would win with something to spare, but Salisbury never went away and Dan Thorne's game management, kicking penalties to keep that scoreboard ticking over was the deciding factor. Not all kickable penalties need to be kicked to touch as seems to be the modern way. The odd three points here and there can be crucial. And how fitting at the end for two players to be awarded champagne, Michael Klichovicz for achieving 50 Blues caps and Jamie Futcher for reaching 200 caps and to continue the theme of families, it was great to see Jamie being presented his champagne by his dad Mick, long serving manager of Blues, who has been involved with volunteering at the club ever since Jamie started as a mini all those years ago. So well done Jamie, well done Klicki and also well done Jack Rampton making his Blues debut and using his demonstrable pace to score a try in Blues Corner. A debut try in a winning afternoon, great stuff. And the music in Kickers bar after the game, the feel good factor just went on and on. Let us hope this continues for the rest of the season.

There was a welcome return for two Blues stalwarts on the weekend, James Macaulay and Robbie Drysdale and from the off James made a telling run into the heart of the Salisbury defence, only for the team to give away their first penalty of the match. The theme early on was for the visitors to launch one out runners to test Blues defence and Alex Du Sautay and Jonny Lees both made aggressive tackles. Jonny was prominent throughout the match, showing how important he is to the team. And if Blues supporters didn't know Jack Rampton before the game they most certainly knew him at the end. Jack's first touch was a strong run and chip in front of the stand and this got everyone excited for what might come as the match progressed. During this period of the game a lot of Salisbury carries were by their number eight and Head Coach James McAvoy was clear in his instructions to make sure the guard is in place at every breakdown, after Blues had left a bit of space at the edge of one ruck. Duncan Craigen then disrupted a Salisbury maul to win a scrum for Blues and soon after the team were awarded a penalty which was taken as a quick tap. Some quick hands moving left to right and the ball found its way to Jack Rampton who sprinted down the touchline to the delight of all those in Blues corner to score a try which Dan Thorne converted to make the score 7-0 after eighteen minutes. The ball at the restart didn't go ten metres and the resulting scrum saw Blues mount another attack, almost scoring but giving a penalty away within five metres of the line. Salisbury then mounted an attack of their own but Blues thwarted this by winning a penalty after putting the visitors' ball carriers under pressure. All teams need players with experience and organisation and there were lots of examples of this on the weekend but to mention one of them, on the half hour mark, Toby Thorne began an attack down the right and he found Jamie Futcher who had come across from his left wing to support the attack. Roving wings have to know when to rove of course and Jamie did it perfectly in this move showing confidence but also knowing his position would be covered by a team mate. Soon after, Blues were awarded a penalty and a subsequent attacking lineout close to the Salisbury line. The visitors were now under intense pressure with Blues picking and going four or five times, forcing another penalty for Duncan Craigen to crash over for Blues second try to take the score to 12-0 on thirty minutes. All looking good. Salisbury now began to mount some attacks of their own and little mistakes by Blues continued to give the visitors field position. However Blues defence was looking solid and when Ali McGee secured a turnover and soon after made a try saving tackle the cry went up, 'keep them out for the last couple of minutes of the half.' Unfortunately for Blues they couldn't quite manage this and on the stroke of half time Salisbury got what was for them an absolute lifeline of a try. Half time, 12-7 to Blues.

Salisbury came out for the second half with a strong intent to reduce the arrears even more and Blues found themselves in their own half for the first six or seven minutes of the half. Blues slowly worked their way upfield and all of a sudden were on the attack again, Dan Thorne making a half break and Blues winning the subsequent breakdown. Salisbury then intercepted a Blues pass and their wing found himself in space. As he sprinted away Harry Waye Branch and Jamie Futcher gave chase to catch their wing and stop the attack. This was impressive defensive stuff. Like the try on the stroke of half time this gave Salisbury some renewed vigour and they began to launch a series of attacks, coming close to scoring and would have had it not been for a Euan Lindsay tackle. Blues desperately needed to mount some attacks of their own and the spark for this was Jony Lees who made good ground down the right and who transferred the ball very well, only to result in a knock on about 25 metres out. However Blues were awarded a penalty and there was no doubt in the mind of Dan Thorne. Five points ahead, with three more on offer, why not? Blues 15-7 ahead going into the final quarter. Ben Hicks was then a nuisance to the visitors as he put pressure on a number of Salisbury ball carriers. The team were trying to go through the phases to get the ball to the edge where Salisbury could be threatened and with ten minutes of the game remaining the visitors gave away another penalty. Unlike the previous kick at goal this was further out and by no means a given, but if Dan Thorne had any nerves he certainly wan't showing them and the ball sailed through the posts with a bit to spare to give Blues an eleven point cushion going into the final ten minutes. The team was further boosted when Dylan Stewart made a huge tackle on one the visitors' big ball carriers but everyone knew Salisbury wouldn't just lie down and soon after they scored their second converted try to take the score to 18-14 going into the final few minutes. However Blues never gave Salisbury any chance of scoring again and if any team looked likely to score it was Blues. With the referee calling the last play of the game Salisbury had a lineout very close to their own line. They could have won the ball and gone the length of the field to score but they never got the chance. Ben Davies took the ball against the throw and Dan Thorne kicked it out to bring the game to a close. A well deserved victory. Well done to all the squad for digging in and giving the huge crowd a great afternoon of rugby.

Thanks as always to our visitors, the referee Dean Crossley, sponsors and everyone who turned up on on Saturday and a final thought to the Whittaker family and many others who have and continue to put in a massive effort for our club. It's a simple aim really, to ensure the next generation and the one's after that have the same opportunities as the current and past players have had, to simply put on a Blues jersey, to feel that excitement and those nerves in the build up to the game and to experience that great feeling of camaraderie after the game over a few drinks, a few songs, a few dodgy fancy dress outfits or whatever. Next week away at London Irish Wild Geese and then a rest week.

Match report courtesy of Brian Lee