Top of the table Bradford on Avon handed out an eight try beating to a struggling Minety team, forced to play their home game at Royal Wootton Bassett after all three Minety pitches failed inspections again.
On a bitterly cold day, with flurries of snow being blasted across the pitch by a biting easterly wind, Minety simply could not manage the pace and power of a Bradford team seeking promotion at the end of the season.
The visitors showed their intent from the kick off, moving the ball out to pacey winger Murray Dewar, who broke through the Minety line and was only stopped from scoring by a magnificent tackle by full back Duncan Simpson.
Simpson and fly half Tom McAllister were called on again to halt the next attack as Bradford threatened the Minety posts as the powerful Bradford pack launched yet another attack.
Bradford took the lead in the 12th minute when flanker Josh Felix stroked home a penalty in front of the posts after Minety were caught off side. The home team had to wait until the 14th minute to break into the Bradford half when winger Steve White and the industrious Simpson forged an attack wide on the right.
Bradford’s first try came from a break within their own 22. The ball was passed out to centre Dan Bright who broke the Minety line and sent winger Dewar in for a try in the corner.
The villagers were forced to make changes to their front row when prop Mark Glew picked up an injury but they held on almost until half time, White’s incursions on the right wing pushing Bradford back, but the visitors’ defensive line speed was impressive and gave Minety’s back line precious little space to work in.
Bradford scored their second try in the 36th minute with another break out try scored under the posts by Dewar. Felix converted and the lead was now 15 points.
The visitors’ third try came almost from the kick off, this time Dewar feeding Bright who ran in from 35 metres to score, Felix converting to leave Minety 22 points down at half time.
Dewar’s hat trick try came in the 47th minute after a fluent backs move as Bradford made good use of the wind to peg Minety back in their own 22.
McAllister and captain Tom Claxton eased the pressure with some direct running, pushing Bradford back into their own half, but the visitors’ tackling and rucking ensured a steady supply of quality ball for their backs to work with.
Dewar’s 4th came in the 64th minute when he found himself on the end of another fine backs’ move to score in the corner.
Exhausted and dispirited, Minety shipped three more tries in the final ten minutes during which time flanker James Stuart was sent off.
Bradford ended the match winners by 51-0 to cement their place at the top of the table.
The only consolation for Minety was that the team immediately below them in the table, Pewsey Vale, were heavily beaten at Trowbridge.
The 2nd XV were awarded a Home Walk Over victory when Melksham conceded their match in D&W3N on Saturday morning.
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