Saturday 6 January 2010
Southern Counties South
One way traffic
Minety 0 pts – Wimborne 44 pts
Minety were well beaten by second-in-the-league Wimborne, who proved themselves to be bigger, stronger and fitter than their hard-working hosts.
Under slate grey skies and with a bitter wind blowing out of the east, the Villagers welcomed Wimborne to the clinging mud of Minety Playing Fields. Unused to such heavy conditions and faced by a determined and well organised defence, it took the visitors nearly 25 minutes to score their first points.
These came from a break by the threequarters following an ineffectual attempt at a catch and drive from a five metre lineout by the Wimborne pack. After repeated attempts to maul over the Minety line, the forwards finally released the ball to their backs, who whisked the ball to the opposite side of the field and edged in for a try by the right-hand corner flag.
The Wimborne pack eventually managed a push-over try and a successful conversion gave the visitors a 12-point lead at the break.
As in previous weeks, Minety visibly tired in the second half. With only one replacement available and tasked with containing more powerful opponents, they began to struggle while Wimborne steadily accumulated points. In total, the visitors added six more tries, the last being a penalty try in the final seconds of the game. Most of the scores were out wide, making for difficult conversions. Only one went over, or the points tally might have been higher still.
After the game, Minety coach Huw Jones challenged his players on their preparation. “Everyone put in a fantastic effort, but we’re not fit enough. We had an excellent first half, but faded badly after the break. Individuals need to make sure they undertake their own personal fitness training.”
This Saturday, Minety travel away for a must-win game against bottom of the table Bradford-on-Avon.
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