An outstanding individual performance from Minety scrum half Garin Garland capped a fine team display from the Dorset and Wilts Division 1 team as they trounced local rivals Royal Wootton Bassett II by 50 points to 12 on Saturday.
Garland’s four tries and five conversions garnered the village team 30 points as they overran the opposition, running in 8 tries in all.
Minety opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. Good ruck ball allowed fly half Adam Watt to feed centre Jack Ward who made the break through the defensive line. Two passes later returning centre Matt Roberts, back from a long term injury, touched down near the corner flag.
With dominance at lineout, scrum and ruck, the pacey Minety backs were given free rein to run the ball, keeping the opposition on the back foot.
The home team extended their lead in the 11th minute. Captain Tom Claxton’s lineout throw was caught by second row Ben Scott and, from the ensuing ruck, Garland spotted a small gap and scored near the left corner flag. His long range conversion was inch perfect and Minety led 12-0.
Andrew Hibbard, Ben Collins and Tom Windle all made ground in midfield and with Claxton and young front row Mark Glew sniping around the edges of rucks, Minety were able to control the ball.
Minety’s third try came on the half hour after a prolonged period of pressure on the Bassett line. After the visitors were penalised, Garland took a quick tap penalty and dived over, converting the try himself and increasing the lead to 19 points.
The home side’s desire to run everything cost them in the 36th minute. Trying to run the ball out from their own line, they were caught and Bassett pounced to open their account with a close range try.
The fourth, bonus point winning, try came deep in 1st half injury time. Once again, a secure lineout and follow up ruck allowed Garland the time and space to score his third try of the half. The successful conversion saw the home side 26-5 up at half time.
Bassett enjoyed their best period of the match at the start of the second half, at last managing to secure quality ball in set pieces. The dominance was rewarded when their outside centre scored their second try of the match from close range.
Any hopes of a Bassett comeback died when Minety ran in 3 tries in 6 minutes. Winger Dave Cooke ran in try number 5 after a fine move involving full back Duncan Simpson and fly half Watt.
An excellent driving run from Scott ended with a beautifully timed off load to Garland, who sprinted in from 25 metres out for try number 6 and a 36-12 lead.
The seventh try came in the 66th minute. Watt’s perfect place kick to touch, a secure lineout and a driving maul set up Andrew Hibbard, who drove through to touch down, and it was last year’s club captain who notched his second try in injury time, Garland converting to secure a 50-12 win.
Club coach Andy Grayson was obviously delighted with both performance and result. “Our sets pieces were brilliant and allowed us to move the ball wide and score tries. We switched on straight away and dominated the game. Next week we need a copy of today’s performance against a Supermarine team who are unbeaten this season and who sit equal top of the table.”
In Saturday’s other fixture in Division 3 North, Minety II’s comprehensively overcame Trowbridge III’s by 40-5 to register their first win of the campaign. We hope to bring you a report on this match soon.