With County fixtures hastily being rearranged Minety found themselves with another potentially blank weekend (Coney Hill having to pull out of the planned match to play their re-arranged Gloucestershire County Cup match). However, Dan Thomas managed to arrange a return to Swindon for the Minety Under 16s team in a match against Supermarine, a team that Minety had narrowly defeated in a messy game at the start of the season.
Resting Ben Thomas and Rob Hinwood from the normal starting 15, Minety included Olly Thomas at scrum half and Andy Wait in the pack.
On a surprisingly firm pitch, and without the howling gale that dominated proceedings last time Minety played at the Supermarine Club, Minety were soon encamped in the opposition 22. Good early rucking and scrummaging saw the visitors with most of the possession and all of the territory and it was no surprise when Reece Kinnett charged through for the first try after just 5 minutes. Scored way out on the left, as all Minety's tries were to be, it gave fly half Jack Cox a difficult conversion. 5 - 0 Minety.
The score seemed to encourage the home team and they matched their visitors throughout the rest of an untidy match, both teams displaying all the signs of lack of proper match sharpness.
Minety coaches Dave Bull and Gary Wallace experimented with line ups during the first 35 minutes, bringing on Ashley Windle for his first appearance for the club.
The second half was a great improvement on the first. Minety moved the ball well through the backs with Alex Miriam and Rob Hinwood making significant breaks from deep. Typical strong forward play in the 47th minute saw Jordi Willcock dive over for another try. Jack Cox was close with the conversion. Minety 10 - 0.
The third try came through another powerful forward burst with Josh Gainey, Joe Kidner and Tom Windle at the helm gave Greg Palmer the chance for a third try. 15 - 0 Minety.
In truth, the Minety line was seldom threatened throughout the game and they finished the match off in style with a fourth try, this time from Ben Thomas. Reece Kinnett took over kicking duties but was unable to convert from far out on the left side.
A much better second half performance from Minety will have helped them to prepare for the big Cup clash with neighbouring giants, Chippenham, next Sunday. Special mention must go to Jack Wallace who put in an excellent all round performance from hooker and gained significant levels of possession throughout the match.
Minety Squad
1 Reece Kinnett
2 Jack Wallace
3 Greg Palmer
4 Josh Gainey
5 Tom Windle
6 Joe Kidner
7 Andy Wait
8 Josh Bull
9 Olly Thomas
10 Jack Cox
11 Jim New
12 Alex Miriam
13 Jordi Willcock
14 Dave Cooke
15 Kieran Evett
Replacements
Ben Thomas, Ashley Windle and Rob Hinwood
