Saturday 17 September 2011
Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North
Minety show pace and purpose
Trowbridge 2nd XV nil – Minety 1st XV 21pts
Minety put in a polished team performance to gain a comprehensive victory by three converted tries to none away against Trowbridge seconds.
After the unhappy drama of last season’s fixture between these two sides, it was a huge relief to see this game played in a good spirit and at considerable pace. The Dorset & Wilts RFU were taking no chances, though, and made sure that the referee was supported by two neutral linesmen who were also qualified refs in their own right.
Looking well organised and highly motivated, Minety took every opportunity to go on the attack and took the lead in the first half thanks to a swashbuckling try from flanker Steve Brown, on as a replacement for Angelo Broadhurst, who retired with a shoulder injury after 15 minutes. Flyhalf Ryan Dowling kicked the conversion and the sides turned round with Minety seven points ahead.
The second half, too, sparkled with pace and purpose. The hosts did their best to run the ball and get into the game but struggled to contain Minety’s style of 15-man rugby. When an inspired break by outside centre Will Dyer took play deep into Trowbridge’s half, the Minety pack were soon in support. The defence rallied but couldn’t hold lock David Hazell when he powered over for a try.
Dowling again slotted the goal but was unlucky when a subsequent penalty attempt bounced off the posts.
Trowbridge spent some time in Minety’s 22 but could find no way to the line. Pouncing on a loose pass, Dowling hoofed the ball upfield to relieve the siege and counterattack. It was inside centre Jonty Messer who eventually latched onto the ball and skimmed through for Minety’s third try, which Dowling faithfully converted to clinch a 21 point win.
Coach Huw Jones was delighted with his team’s effort. “It was the best game I’ve seen from Minety for some time,” he enthused. “The lads have set the bar high and I’ve warned them that now I’m expecting that sort of performance from them every week.”
Comments