Dorset & Wilts Div One North

Minety 11

Chippenham II 9

MINETY’S hard work and determination were rewarded with a well deserved victory against Chippenham.

Both sides looked to move ball at every opportunity but two very well organised defences kept the game close.

The game remained scoreless until the 25th minute when inside centre Luke Radcliffe scored the only try of the match, finishing off a move off a move begun by a storming run by No.8 Gareth Peirce.

Minety extended their lead seven minutes later when Ash Windle kicked a penalty following a Chippenham infringement.

From the restart Chippenham were able to make a rare foray into Minety territory. With the hosts unable to maintain discipline they conceded a penalty and a straightforward kick saw the visitors bring the score to 8-3 In the second half, with light drizzle falling, the ball became increasingly difficult to control.

Both sides looked to exploit this to their advantage with probing kicks.

But it was the Minety backs who came out on top. They functioned well all afternoon and ran the ball back at every opportunity.

On 51 minutes one such counter attack almost led to Minety's second try. Full back Robin Greenaway started a move by fielding a kick in his own 22 and joined the move again in the later stages when putting Dale Langdown over for a try, only for it to be recalled as the well positioned referee ruled the final pass forward.

That close call seemed to galvanise Chippenham into action. They responded with an intensity that saw Minety unable to stay within the laws.

As the penalty count crept up so did the Chippenham score. Penalty goals on 59 and 70 minutes took the score to 11-9 with 10 minutes to go.

An intense finale ensued but Minety were able close out the last few minutes in Chippenham territory and claim a well deserved (if extremely rare) league win against Chippenham 2nds.