Minety RFC finding life in the Southern League is a long, tough road (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Minety RFC finding life in the Southern League is a long, tough road

PLAYED in continuous and torrential rain on Saturday, this was an ill-tempered affair in which both sides had players yellow carded.

Minety put together some good rugby in difficult conditions, but undermined their chances of winning by repeatedly showing poor discipline in crucial phases of the game.

Redingensians, for their part, looked vulnerable at times but nevertheless capitalised effectively on their opponents' errors, growing in confidence as they did so.

While the two packs were evenly matched in scrums and broken play, throughout the game the home team were assured of a steady supply of ball from the lineout where they enjoyed a clear advantage.

Redingensians opened the scoring with a penalty goal, but the first try went to the visitors.

Following up a kick-ahead, Minety managed to snatch possession some eight metres short of the line and maul their way over for a try.

Although the Reds came back strongly, they were unable to find a way through their opponents' defence until an offside decision gifted them a penalty in front of the posts just before half-time.

The resulting goal meant that the sides turned round with Redingensians ahead by a single point.

The second half was marred by a series of scuffles and saw Redingensians kick two further penalties to increase their lead to 12-5.

The critical score, nonetheless, was a try from short range scored by the Redingensians' flanker after his side had exerted a long period of pressure.

Minety, too, had their chances to strike back but, despite spending time in their rivals' 22, they failed to score again.

Instead, a late try by Redingensians secured victory for the home side by 22 points to five