SALISBURY RFC seconds fell short in their 29-16 defeat at Wimborne seconds in Dorset and Wilts 1 South clash.
Despite the heavens opening as kick off arrived, Salisbury held their own in the first half, trailing by two points after Tom Buckingham converted double penalties.
Pete MacLennan scored a try early in the second period to give Green and Whites some hope of getting a result.
But the Wimborne team, at least a stone heavier, man for man, took control and ran in three converted tries before Chris Miller scored in the dying minutes for Richard Lloyd's men.
The result sees Salisbury stay two places above Wimborne in sixth.
AFTER a week's break, the firsts return to action on Saturday with the short trip north west of the county to Trowbridge in South West 1 (East).
"Trowbridge are a physical side however I know we will be able to control the game and starve them of possession, allowing our big ball carriers to cause them problems," said head coach Dan Jeffries.
Second-placed Salisbury are 13 points adrift of leaders Towcestrians, but Jeffries believes they can still be caught.
He added: "Eight games is enough for us to catch Towcestrians, however, they are unlikely to slip up now. We do have the ability to consolidate our second place position which will see us into the play-offs."
"Over the next few weeks we should get back to full strength and then we know we are as strong as anybody in the league."
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