The bell tolls for those diehards of Minety RFC IIs (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

The bell tolls for those diehards of Minety RFC IIs

WITH most of the 1st XV regulars attending the wedding of a team-mate, there was no alternative but to ask a game second string to carry the flag for Minety RFC at home to high-flying Bournemouth for Saturday's Southern Counties South fixture.

Due to this, Minety were left with no other option but to cancel the 2nd XV's game in Dorset & Wilts Division 2 North.

Although beaten heavily, five points to 106, they stuck to their task til the end, making sure that the visitors had at least to work for their victory.

The side that eventually took to the field in Minety first team colours had only four regular first-team players on board.

In the absence of any front- row players, volunteers from elsewhere on the field had to play in these positions.

Not surprisingly, a stronger, faster and fitter Bournemouth side scored a deluge of tries - nine in the first half and seven in the second.

The big surprise, though, was how well this Minety squad played, competing in every area of the game, tackling their hearts out and even scoring a try.

This came at the start of the second half when quick handling and a final long floated pass moved the ball out to Ryan Dowling on the left wing for Minety.

He then showed great pace up the slope as he outflanked his opponent and dived over for the score.

Despite the unequal struggle, the second half in particular was sufficiently competitive for a Bournemouth forward to get himself sin-binned for violent play and for a Minety threequarter to be similarly penalised for repeatedly interfering with the ball on the ground.

Less controversially, there was some gutsy running and heroic tackling by a number of Minety players, including scrum-half Alistair Grierson, no 8 James Hazell, winger Ollie Bown and fullback Ruben Saunders.

This Saturday, Minety are hoping their usual 1st XV squad is available for a tough home league game against Trowbridge.