On Saturday a much changed Minety team took to the field against Marlborough II for their first home game of the season. Minety started strongly with Ben Collins scoring with a catch and drive from a line out. Luke Radcliffe’s fine long range conversation putting Minety 7-0 up. Missed tackles let Marlborough into the game with two quick scores turning the match on its head. Minety pulled back to 12-14 with Collins once again striking from a line out before Marlborough extended their lead with a penalty.
It was Minety who finished the half strongest. Colin French latching on to a pass from the strong running Dellam Murray, followed by a fine solo effort from Radcliffe who also added the extras. Half time came with Minety leading 24-17.
Playing up the slope Minety dominated the early encounters of the second half Jay Thompson unfortunate to have a try disallowed. Marlborough hit back strongly and missed tackles, a lapse in concentration and a soft intercept gifted Marlborough with three unanswered tries and saw them storm into a 24-36 lead. Loss of the influential Radcliffe compounding issues for Minety.
Minety rallied salvaging a losing point with a late try from Andrew Hibbard from the base of a scrum. However it was too little too late and Marlborough held out to win 29-36.
Thanks to Cliff Garland for providing this match report.
The 2nd XV match away at Warminster was conceded after Minety were unable to field a full team.
Results form around the leagues on this site tomorrow.
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