Dorset & Wilts Division 1
North
Trowbridge 2nd XV 5pts - Minety 1st XV 71pts
Dominant up front, Minety trundled in a lorryload of points away against bottom-of-the-table Trowbridge seconds.
Trowbridge are a young
side and it became clear in the first few minutes that the Minety pack were bigger,
stronger and more experienced than their opponents. They pushed them off the
ball at every scrum and in was not long before they were executing a
catch-and-drive move from a lineout that saw hooker Andy Moran go over for the
first try of the game.
Acting scrumhalf Will
Dyer was next to score for Minety, snapping up loose ball and skittering through
for a try under the posts.
Making a welcome return
for the club, number 8 Pete Roberts showed terrific pace as he broke away from
the defence to sprint in for try number three.
Playing with a strong
wind at their backs, Trowbridge briefly turned the tables on the visitors.
Kicking and regathering a kick ahead, they breezed through a stunned defence for
a well-worked try.
Put off their stride, Minety
frittered away the rest of the half but came back stronger than ever after the
break. They handled well and the interpassing among the forwards was excellent.
Lock Craig Smith was unlucky not to score when he was brought down just short
of the line after a lengthy passing move that linked forwards and backs.
Fullback Reuben Saunders also came close after a good move in the centre of the
pitch.
Dowling kicked well all
afternoon despite the windy conditions and his three difficult goals from the
touchline were especially notable. James Stewart gave a sharp account of
himself in the closing stages when he came on as a flanker and replacement
winger Phil Cook marked his first team debut with a try. Roberts, Dyer and Moran
all scored again and there were tries too for Martin Coe, Ryan Dowling and Jack
Ward.
Minety will hope to retain this form on Saturday when they host Swindon seconds.