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RUGBY: Fairford shock leaders Minety in Cup
Minety 5 Fairford 8.
FAIRFORD, who lie eighth in the Dorset and Wilts Division 1 North outplayed league leaders Minety in all phases of this Stroud Combination Senior Cup semi-final.
Fairford dominated the first half played in brutal conditions on the infamous Minety pitch, but failed to turn possession into points as they opted to run the ball rather than use the power of their pack.
They also gave away far too many penalties and conceded hard-gained territory on a frustratingly regular basis.
One series of offences led to Minety finally getting out of their half. Fortunately for Fairford, the penalty smack in front of the posts, was sliced wide.
The first half remained dull but competitive with Minety scoring on the stroke of half-time after more penalties pushed the visitors back from 22 to 22.
A simple catch-and-drive ploy was used, but Fairford's defence held out initially only for the referee to deem that the maul had been collapsed. Minety rewound and this time were successful.
A change of tactics in the second half saw Fairford use the strength of their pack to greater effect.
With the front row causing the home side all sorts of problems in the tight, especially young Luke Du Randt, it was the driving play of Little, Brown and Southwell that enjoyed success in the loose.
Drive after drive, aided with some booming kicks from Botha, put Fairford firmly in the driving seat.
Within ten minutes, Fairford had drawn level. A five-metre scrum, followed by a series of drives saw man-of-the-match Steve Brown driven over with the help of powerhouse hooker Briggs.
Botha missed the conversion, but made amends later with a simple penalty in front of the posts.
Fairford looked to have the game wrapped up, but credit to Minety as they fought back, helped by a plethora of penalties.
Fairford's defence stood up to the test and they turned over ball at crucial times.
As the game neared the final whistle, Minety lost their hooker to the sin bin as the home side's frustration and realisation that this was not to be their day became evident.
As it was, a solid performance from 1 to 17 by Fairford saw them make the May 4 final.
7:01pm Sunday 23rd March 2008
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