OLD Salts RFC maintained their position in second place in Midland Two West North with a sound victory over Stafford.

They won 20-11 at Watton Lane with the forwards, as ever, creating a solid platform on which to build.

Pete Harris, making a surprise appearance at scrum half, gave them the linkage to the backs, playing out of his skin.

The backs produced some devastating runs and it was one such attack which brought the first points of the match with only a few minutes gone.

Harris broke from deep before unleashing Dan Fentham, who linked to Tom Lee, cutting through the unsettled Stafford side.

He handed back to Fentham for a 20-yard canter to the line. Lewis Beaty converted, giving Salts an almost immediate 7-0 lead.

Luke Turner then took the ball in his own 22 from a poor kick from Stafford and ran fully 50 yards unchecked before attempting to offload to younger brother Sam.

The younger Turner was unfairly impeded and the resulting penalty gave Salts a 10-0 lead.

Salts were dominant, but indiscipline gave Stafford two penalties which they converted to make it 10-6 at half time.

Salts started the second half with great intent and the pressure told as Fentham raced through for a try.

Beaty added another penalty to stretch the lead to 20-6, before the visitors responded with a late try.

Old Salts coach Dean Lewis said: "It was another workmanlike performance from the Salts team, with glimpses of the sublime play this group of players is capable of."