Both Minety teams are on the road this weekend with Andrew Hibbard’s 1st XV travelling to Chippenham whilst Matt Stone’s 2nd XV make the trek to Trowbridge, both matches kicking off at 2.30pm.
In Dorset and Wilts Division 1 North, Chippenham II’s lie in 9th place having won 5, drawn 1 and lost 8 of their 14 league matches this season. With 26 points, they find themselves 11 points behind 7th placed Minety.
Chippenham’s last match, a fortnight ago, saw them beaten 48-10 at Frome, from where Minety emerged with such a fine victory last week. Previous to that Chippenham had lost to 3rd placed Pewsey Vale at home.
The teams last met on the 22nd October with Minety emerging victors by 27-10.
Buoyed by last week’s excellent performance at fast improving Frome, Minety sit in 7th place in the league with 37 points, 3 behind Royal Wootton Bassett and just 7 behind 3rd placed Pewsey Vale. With Bassett and Pewsey lining up against each other this Saturday, Minety will hope for a bonus point victory at Chippenham to close the gap on those above them.
At the top of the table, unbeaten Corsham host Frome, 11 points above Warminster and an unsurmountable 30 clear of Minety.
The 2nd XV travel to Trowbridge III’s, who are in 6th place in the Dorset and Wilts Division 3 North, 7 points ahead of 8th placed Minety.
The teams last met on the 22nd October when Minety emerged 46-14 victors. Trowbridge have lost their last two matches but have also enjoyed convincing wins over Melksham, Alfred’s Nomads, Devizes and Swindon since the last meeting.
Matt Stone’s team will hope for better luck after a desperate fortnight for the team. Two weeks ago they were forced to field a weakened team against Swindon College Old Boys and then had to sacrifice players mid match to help the 1st XV, similarly afflicted with a shortage of players, as they went down to Bradford on Avon. Last weekend the 2nd’s fixture at Bradford on Avon was called off when Minety was unable to fulfill the fixture after player unavailability and call ups to the 1st XV decimated the squad.
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