Saturday 12 January 2013
Dorset & Wilts Division 3 North
Minety draw deep
Melksham 3rd XV 5pts – Minety 2nd XV 5pts
Facing strongly reinforced opponents, Minety seconds had to battle hard to hold on for a draw.
Following the postponement of their first and second team games, Melksham had plenty of players to choose from and a full set of reserves to call on for their fixture against Minety, who were travelling with only one replacement.
The home side struck first with a controversial early score. Minety claimed that their players had been taken out off the ball, but the referee awarded the try.
Stung with a sense of injustice, the visitors struck back immediately. Minety scrumhalf Rich Garbett broke away from a maul on his own 22 to find himself suddenly in acres of space. Running the length of the field, he left his pursuers trailing in his wake as he touched down to even the score.
With no recognised kicker in the team, Minety failed to slot the conversion and missed two subsequent attempts at penalty goals.
Melksham brought on their replacements but, despite their best efforts, failed to break down a committed Minety defence.
Making his first senior appearance, Minety Academy lock Josh Gainey put in some impressive runs but it was the front row of Toby Edmonds, Matt Park and Steve Murray who made the greatest impact for Minety, dominating up front in a keenly fought contest.
Comentarios