Saturday 3 December 2011
Errors mount up for Minety
Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North
Minety 1st XV 5pts – Bradford-on-Avon 1st XV 15pts
Frustration for Minety as an accumulation of errors undermine an afternoon of hard work and solid tackling.
Defying a heavy pitch and cold conditions, Minety started brightly and lock Matt Hooper would have scored early on had he not strayed over the dead ball line in goal. Making amends, he crossed the line for a try quarter of an hour later, capping a period of solid play by his team.
The rest of the half descended into stalemate as the home side defended stoutly but struggled to maintain momentum going forward. Bradford for their part repeatedly fell foul of the referee and at one point had a player yellow carded for persistently straying offside.
Minety’s problems deepened in the second half. Their lineout was uncharacteristically poor, batting back loose and uncontrolled ball for scrumhalf Tom Fitzcharles to chase while the Bradford back row streamed through in pursuit. The backs, too, struggled for form, and while Dave Church, Robin Greenway and Reuben Saunders all made good breaks, final passes continued to go astray or were intercepted.
Bradford, meanwhile, were gradually getting themselves organised and exerting more pressure on their hosts. Minety tackled well, but when they strayed offside in defending a series of rucks and mauls on their line, the referee awarded a penalty try to the visitors which in turn made for an easy conversion.
After that, Bradford grew in confidence and, gaining an attacking five metre scrum, skilfully wheeled the formation to make it easier for their flanker to pick up and charge over for a short range try.
This time the conversion missed, but a penalty goal in the last quarter of an hour sealed the game in their favour.
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