OAKMEADIANS fought back from 15-0 down to eventually kick their South West Two campaign off on the right foot with a 38-20 victory over Salisbury.

A fine campaign last season, when they finished fifth, means a tangible mood of optimism surrounds the Oaks camp this season.

But it took all of their powers of resiliance to ensure the opening day did not end in disaster rather than delight.

Caught cold, the Meyrick Park side were behind within a minute to an early penalty after the home side were adjudged to have handled in a ruck.

And long after, they found themselves under intense pressure as the Wiltshire side ran the ball at their hosts at every available opportunity.

On seven minutes, a flowing attack was finished off by Bosley and only some desperate defending prevented Salisbury adding more.

But 28 minutes in, Bell did break through the home resistance to touch down and seemingly present Hayden Hokianga's men with a mountain to scale.

It proved to be a harsh wake-up call for Oaks who stormed back into the game as they began to function more like a unit.

Ten minutes before the break, the ball was fed through numerous sets of hands to James Payne who touched down.

And incredibly, the hosts were level before the whistle as first Francois Van Schwalkwyk finished off another flowing move to score in the corner and then Hokianga went over to restore parity.

Early in the second half, Aaron Saunders' fine break was stopped just short of the line and a penalty was awarded.

It was quickly taken and finished off by Matt Riley to put Oaks in front for the first time.

But just as it looked as if their comeback was complete, Salisbury showed they too had some fight in them as they equalised with a controversial try.

The ball appeared to be knocked on as Hobbs crossed the line but the unsighted referee awarded the score.

This rejuvenated Salisbury who came desperately close to taking the lead again but theywere bundled in to touch just in time.

Tim Flower was brought on for the hosts while the visitors lost their kicker and with just 10 minutes remaining, the Bournemouth side finally took control.

First, Chris Walton converted a penalty to make it 23-20 after he himself had chipped over the defence and was impeded as he followed it through.

Van Scwalkwyk then thought he had crossed the line but lost the ball before grounding before Tim Flower was then driven over to finally put some daylight between the sides.

Walton then turned creator in injury time as his break was finished off, courtesy of a neat side step, by Rob Bongard as Oaks ultimately trotted out comfortable victors.

Without a league match this weekend, Oaks' first XV travel to face Rosslyn Park A.

Oakmeadians: Payne, Stantiford, Saunders, Harman, Van Schwalkwyk, Walton, Reed (Flower), Riley, Bongard, Siaki, Croker, Ramsey, Blewitt, Clark, Hokianga.