Dorset & Wilts Division 3 North

Back to winning ways

Supermarine 2nd XV 0pts - Minety 2nd XV 15pts

Minety seconds put in a storming second half to wash away Supermarine seconds and secure their first win after a string of eight consecutive defeats.

Making a welcome return for Minety, number 8 James Smith had an outstanding match. Catching the ball from the kick off, he drove it 20 metres to get his team off to a flying start.

A strong wind and heavy showers made handling difficult and lineouts a lottery. Playing into the gale, Minety seconds defended well, their stronger pack and more experienced backs holding their opponents to a nil-all score line at the break.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Minety finally began to make inroads. Flyhalf James Tweedale kicked well from hand, punishing the hosts with booming 70 metre kicks to touch. On the wing, Joe Lister had one of his best games yet, running decisively and with pace that belied the treacherous conditions.

Ten minutes in, and with Supermarine poised to defend an expected assault up the blind side, Tweedale took the ball open from the 22 and jinked past two players before touching down under the posts.

Inside centre Gareth Dyer converted and went on to add a second try, this time capitalising on the efforts of the forwards. They worked the ball upfield through several phases before releasing it to Dyer who completed the move with a try from short range.

This time, he missed the conversion, but he was back on target with a penalty goal a few minutes later to bring Minety’s tally to 15 points having conceded none in reply.