Dorset and Wilts Div Three North

Royal Wootton Bassett III 40 Minety II 12

MINETY Seconds travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett to face a well drilled and powerful Wootton Bassett third team on Saturday in Dorset and Wilts Three North.

Minety were hoping to put their recent loss at Swindon behind them but Bassett triumphed 40-12 taking them to the top of the league.

Bassett started quickly and moved the ball along the line to put the slow-starting Minety on the back foot. Although the visitors defended well the pressure told and within the first 20 minutes Bassett had roared into a 15-point lead with three tries.

Minety regrouped with the forwards matching the powerful Bassett pack but wave after wave of attacking moves from the home side showed why they are at the top of the division as they raced in more tries to end the half 35-0 up.

The second half showed the fighting qualities that the Minety team are well known for. The forwards upped their game and matched the home team.

Minety put pressure on the Bassett defensive line and a kick through saw the forwards and winger Matt Stone pressurise the defence into spilling the ball. Although Minety lost the ensuing ruck, they were able to recapture the ball allowing Mark Glew to cross for a try, which was converted, to bring the score back to 35-7.

Sensing a chance of more points Minety increased the pressure on the home line, forcing a scrum near to the Bassett line. Number eight Ben Scott picked up at the base of the scrum and his run and pass to Mark Glew opened up the home defence allowing Brodie Murray to score in the corner.

The conversion was missed but the scoreline was now a more respectable 35-12.

Minety’s efforts to claw their way back took their toll and as Bassett used their extensive bench to replace and replenish, Minety simply ran out of steam.

In the last minutes of the game the defence buckled and let Bassett in to have the last word with a try to bring about the final score of 40-12.

Special mention for front five.

Minety MoM: Colin French.

This weekend Minety's Seconds are at home to their counterparts from Warminster RFC in the Dorset & Wilts League.