Saturday 31 March 2012
Minety undermined by injuries
Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North
Swindon 2nd XV 19pts – Minety 1st XV 10pts
Reduced by injury to 14 men, Minety were unable to defend a slender second-half lead and finally went down three tries to one in a scrappy and ill-tempered game at Swindon.
A drop goal from skipper Jack Ward after 10 minutes gave Minety an early lead, but when Ben Parfitt jumped for a kick, he fell awkwardly and was forced to leave the game with a broken ankle. This was particularly tough on Parfitt, who was playing only his third game back after 18 months off following an operation on his shoulder to remedy an injury sustained while playing last season.
Minety had travelled with only one replacement, Academy player Dave Cook. He now came on and had a good game on the wing.
With five minutes to go before the break, Swindon had the visitors penned back into their 22. Minety attempted a clearance kick, but their opponents ran it back it at them, scoring a try in the corner to make it 5-3 at half-time.
Tempers flared after the restart and both sides had a player yellow carded for fighting.
Nevertheless, Minety took the lead with a fine running move from their threequarters who showed great hands as they put away Robin Greenway for a try under the posts. Ward added the conversion and the visitors were looking good at 5-10 ahead.
Then disaster struck for Minety. Another player twisted his leg on the hard ground and was forced to leave the field. Reduced to 14 men, they struggled to contain their hosts, who scored two more converted tries to take the game 19-10.
Minety have two more Saturdays of rugby left this season. They play their final league games at home on 14 April, when the firsts take on Fairford and the second team welcome Trowbridge thirds. Then, on Saturday 21 April, Minety host their annual invitation seven-a-side tournament. With a host of local teams taking part and a beer tent, barbecue, bouncy castle, bucking bronco and ice-cream van in attendance, it should be a great day out for all the family.
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