DEPLETED by injury and illness, Corsham travelled to one of the promotion favourites with the bare XV.

An early 50m run from centre Chris Bull showed the visitors' commitment, but Salisbury then hit back scoring two quick tries.

Yet Corsham responded when hooker Liam Snape pressurised the Salisbury backline the ball broke loose, the hooker kicking ahead.

As he was about to touch down for a well-deserved try, but was cynically pushed aside, prompting the referee to award a penalty try.

New Corsham flanker Harry Hewlett was all over the park, frustrating the salisbury back row. Bt the hosts responded powerfully, scoring five more tries before the interval.

Just after half time, Corsham were reduced to 14 men when flanker Hewlett was tip-tackled and had to leave the field.

The back row of Harry Grace and Tom Culshaw ran themselves into the ground, as Salisbury racked up the tries.

To their credit, Corsham fought back, scoring two tries through Will Chivers and Ollie Deane.

With two minutes remaining, Corsham were narrowly denied the bonus-point score when Snape was tackled just short and Bull was held up by the defence.