Saturday 24 April 2010
Stroud Combination Junior Cup – Semi-Final
Radcliffe try seals it for Minety
Minety 2nd XV 16 pts – Dursley 2nd XV 8 pts
A late try by centre Luke Radcliffe sealed a win for Minety seconds in this closely fought semi-final.
There was little to separate the two sides in the first half. Playing on a rock-hard pitch under a hot sun, Dursley enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but although they several times came close to scoring, Minety’s resolute defence held them out.
Playing down the slope in the second half, the home side finally managed to break the deadlock with a long-range goal after a Dursley player was penalised for not releasing the ball when tackled.
The visitors redoubled their efforts and, kicking ahead, put their opponents’ defence under pressure. When Minety failed to gather the ball cleanly, Dursley winger Michael Beswick snapped it up and dashed over for a try.
Minety edged ahead again thanks to a penalty goal from flyhalf Andy Edwards, but when they strayed offside, Dursley kicked a goal to make it 6-8 and regain the lead.
Having been warned by the referee not to persist in killing the ball, Dursley had a player yellow carded when they repeated the offence. Minety successfully kicked a goal from the penalty, thereby retaking the narrowest of leads.
The game hung in the balance until Edwards put up a high punt which the Dursley midfield were unable to catch cleanly. That was when Radcliffe pounced. Grabbing the bouncing ball, he dodged round the arms of the would-be tacklers and sprinted 40 metres for a try under the posts which Edwards then converted.
Minety seconds now face the Painswick 2nd XV in the final which is to be played at Dursley this Sunday afternoon, 2 May, kick-off 3.30 pm.
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