This was the first outing for Minety in the Wiltshire Cup, and the first time these squads had played each other.
Minety travelled to Trowbridge, semi-finalists in the Cup last season, in a positive mood. A number of injuries gave a number of players the chance to show that they had the versatility to play out of their preferred position.
Trowbridge received the kick-off and from the start showed why they had been semi-finalists last year. The quickly drove the ball through the phases looking in control, but Minety hadn’t turned up to be spectators and they closed Trowbridge down, a kick to touch gave Minety their first chance. The ball was beautifully thrown by Josh Chivers and cleanly caught at the top of its throw by Josh Bull, a strong drive from the Minety pack showed their potential.
After 14 minutes Minety’s defence was finally stretched too thin and Trowbridge scored the opening points of the game out on the right wing, but unfortunately they missed their conversion attempt.
For the next fifteen minutes both teams played some tight rugby with the ball moving from 22 to 22 without any more points being scored. A blood replacement for Alex Miriam and an injury to Sam Johnson in the Minety back line meant that there was further disruption to the Minety team, but the level of commitment continued with all 15 players giving their all. Minety had their chances but failed to convert any of them to points and then with the first half coming to a close a couple of tired tackles allowed Trowbridge to finish the half with a 17-0 lead that flattered them a little.
The half-time break gave Minety a chance to catch their breath and re-focus on the challenge they were facing.
Trowbridge started the second half as they had finished the first, with all out attack. They camped in the Minety 22 and launched attack after attack. Jordie Willcock injured his knee and this brought Jim New on to the field as a winger rather than his usual fullback position. Trowbridge kept driving forward and whilst they crossed the line several times stout Minety defence didn’t allow them to ground the ball. Another injury, this time to Mike New, Minety’s stand-in fly-half caused the team to re-arrange itself yet again. In spite of being trapped so close to their line the Minety team showed great passion and commitment with the scrum functioning well and often disrupting the Trowbridge put in. Both Minety props, Reece Kinnett and Callum Harford refused to be driven backwards and competed as equals against a much bigger front row.
Finally, 17 minutes into the half the pressure proved too much and Trowbridge crossed the line for the fourth try (24-0). This could have led to Minety’s head dropping but their resilience was too high and they continued to fight.
It took another five minutes before Trowbridge scored their fifth try (31-0, after 22 mins). Still Minety kept trying and some solid tackling by Ben Thomas, Joby Neal and Josh Gainey meant Trowbridge still couldn’t cross the line at will. Three quick tries in the last five minutes and the final conversion, also the last kick of the game, brought the final score to 50-0
A strong Trowbridge team deservedly won a hard fought encounter, but the final score flattered them.
Minety Squad
1 Reece Kinnett
2 Josh Chivers
3 Callum Harford
4 Josh Gainey
5 Tom Windle
6 Joe Kidner
7 Alex Miriam
8 Josh Bull
9 Ben Thomas (C)
10 Mike New
11 Jordan Willcock
12 Joby Neal
13 Sam Johnson
14 Dave Cooke
15 Keiran Evett
Replacements
Jim New, replaced Jordan Willcock; Dellam Murray, replaced Josh Bull; Ollie Thomas, replaced Mike New; and Jack Wallace, replaced Josh Chivers
