Minety RFC lose friendly game against Wooton Bassett (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Minety RFC lose friendly game against Wooton Bassett

MINETY RFC first team lost 7-12 in last weekend's friendly game against Wootton Bassett.

With the wind and slope in their favour, Wootton Bassett got off to a good start and enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first half of this opening match of the season.

Minety's defence proved hard to break down, though, and it was 20 minutes before the visitors were able to turn pressure into points when a Minety clearance kick failed to find touch.

Bassett ran the ball back and when held short of the line, formed a driving maul to bulldoze their way over for the opening try. A successful conversion kick made it 0-7 to the visitors.

Things stayed that way until a breakaway try by the Bassett winger in the dying minutes of the half made it 0-12 at the break.

But Minety came back strongly after the interval and dominated, both in terms of territory and possession, for the rest of the match.

Fly-half James Tweedale brought the home team back into contention with a try, which he then converted, but later on missed a penalty goal.

And a disallowed push-over try left Minety still trailing at the whistle.

"We were a little disorganised at the start, but I was delighted with the effort everybody put in," commented Minety captain Dave Pierce.

"In the end, I thought that we were unlucky not to win that one."

Minety begin their league campaign this Saturday with a home game against North Dorset, kick-off 3pm.