Both Minety teams will be hoping for a change of fortune as they look forward to this weekend’s fixtures in Dorset and Wilts Division 1 North and 3 North.
The 1st XV will be looking to turn around their fortunes after last weekend’s shock defeat at home against newly promoted Pewsey Vale. Richard Hall’s men will be making the long trip to Warminster for a 3pm kick off on Saturday. Warminster began their 2016-2017 campaign off with a solid victory over Melksham by 24-10. Their website states: “This was a good start to the season for the amber and blues with a solid performance where perhaps they left a few points to be had out on the field. The defence speed was excellent which is something that has been worked on in training and pleasing to see carried on into the game situation. They will be looking to continue the good start next week in front of the first VP crowd of the season when they welcome Minety down to Folly Lane. ”
Warminster played their rugby in Dorset and Wilts 1 South last season but have moved to reduce the travelling distances to fixtures. With 4th place in the fledgling D&W1N table, they look sure to be difficult opponents for the Minety 1st XV bereft of their captain Andrew Hibbard and several other players.
In other matches in D&W1N last weekend Bradford on Avon hammered Royal Wotton Bassett II’s 59-17, Corsham maintained their impressive run of form from the end of last season with a comprehensive victory over Devizes away from home, 53-7, while Chippenham won 12-7 at Supermarine and Swindon II’s defeated league newcomers Frome II 36-3.
Newly elected 2nd XV captain Matthew Stone will be hoping for better luck this weekend. His team’s eagerly anticipated season opener was cancelled when the Warminster II team were unable to fulfill the fixture. The 2nds will now travel to Marlborough this Saturday to take on “Alfred’s Nomads” who started their campaign with a confidence boosting 50-7 victory over Devizes III. The Nomads finished last season in 3rd place with 62 league points, 20 more than 7th placed Minety.
Elsewhere Swindon College Old Boys inflicted a 48-5 defeat of Swindon III’s while the standout result was Bradford On Avon’s 86-0 humbling of Westbury.
Comments