Minety continued their winning ways with a convincing 34 – 12 victory over Supermarine at home on Saturday.
Playing downhill, and with a fierce wind behind them, Minety needed to maximise their first half advantage. With some of the best rugby seen at Minety in recent years, the home team totally dominated the first 20 minutes with multiple phases of possession and fine moves across the field. After centre Luke Radcliffe and flanker James Stuart had gone close, Max Sparrow took advantage of a tap penalty to take the Supermarine defence by surprise and race through for the first try, which fly half Jack Ward converted.
The home side extended their lead to 14 points when hooker Will North scored after a fine interchange between backs and forwards.
The result was almost sealed in the 31st minute when strong running from Ward, full back Dale Langdown and Stuart carved the Supermarine defence open to allow centre Matt Roberts to score, with Ward converting.
With a 21 – 0 lead at half time, the Minety team were brimming with confidence. Playing uphill and into a gale force wind, they forced their opponents, who had started the day above them in the league, back into their own half. Ward kicked a penalty to extend the lead yet further before, in the 49th minute winger David Cooke scored the bonus point winning 4th try close to the posts after a move that featured all of the backs and most of the Minety forwards.
Supermarine hit back with a converted try in the 55th minute before Ward kicked another penalty to extend the lead to 34-5. A late, converted try for the visitors in the 77th minute brought the scores closer but by that time Minety were home and dry.
The win takes Minety up to second in the table.
Coach Andy Ward commended his team. “I thought this would be a difficult match for the lads after last week’s great cup win. We knew we had to start strongly and we did just that. Those first 20 minutes showed what a strong side we are. We defended well when called upon but our attacking play was excellent. All of the hard work on the training ground is now paying rich dividends.”
Captain Andrew Hibbard was also delighted with the victory and the team performance. “We piled on the pressure in the first half, playing rugby that suited the difficult conditions. It was a great performance and one that stands us in good stead for the upcoming regional cup tie and the rest of the league season.”
Date: Saturday 5th December 2015
Weather: Overcast and with high winds
Venue: Minety
Competition: Dorset and Wilts Division 1 North
Man of the Match: Stephen Brown
Matt Roberts scores Minety’s 3rd try.
David Cooke scores Minety’s 4th try.
More quality ball from the Minety lineout.
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