Dorset and Wilts Div One North
Pewsey Vale 43
Minety 25

MINETY’S 1st XV ended their Dorset and Wilts Division One North campaign with a disappointing 43-25 defeat at the hands of Pewsey Vale on Saturday, writes Graham Cooke.

Minety finished in a creditable sixth place in the 12-team division, with 11 wins from their 22 outings, one place above local rivals Royal Wootton Bassett, whose 50-0 defeat at the hands of Bradford-on-Avon left them in seventh place.

Against the run of play, Minety opened the scoring. After Pewsey had been penalised for delaying a line-out, captain Andrew Hibbard picked up the ball 50 metres out and ran straight through the defence, off-loading to Duncan Simpson, who touched down between the posts.

Garin Garland kicked the conversion and Minety were an improbable 7-0 up.

Pewsey hit back five minutes later when No. 8 Phil Vallis scored from close range with James Haynes’ conversion tying up the scores.

Big second row Ben Collins, just back after a serious knee injury, proved a handful for the Pewsey defence and gave some respite for Minety’s overworked defence.

Minety regained the lead in the 30th minute when Pewsey offended at a ruck, Garland kicking the penalty, and the young full back extended the lead to 13-7 from another penalty in the 35th minute.

Pewsey struck back before half-time. Once again, the combination of Vallis and Haynes proved too much for the beleaguered visiting defence and the fly half touched down for Pewsey’s second try before kicking the conversion (14-13).

Four unanswered Pewsey tries in the first 12 minutes of the second half – from Sam Flippance, Guy Ellis, Olly Spence and Chris Spence, with two Haynes conversions – ended Minety’s chance of getting anything from this match (38-13).

Minety pressed forward and played some of their most enterprising rugby but all too often the final pass went astray and possession was lost.

Both teams lost a player, each yellow-carded, after a flare-up in the 61st minute.

Minety’s second try came after a period of pressure on the Pewsey line. A midfield run from Jack Ward was rebuffed but Simpson was on hand to pick up and score.

Pewsey extended their lead to 43-18 in the 77th minute when Vallis sprinted through for his second try.

Minety’s final score was a penalty try awarded after winger Dave Cooke’s fine run through the Pewsey defence was halted by a desperate neck-high tackle.