Saturday 5 February 2011
Dorset & Wilts Division 3 North
Great running from Radcliffe
Midsomer Norton 4th XV 7 pts – Minety 2nd XV 15 pts
Minety seconds clinched a tough away win thanks to a brace of tries from centre Luke Radcliffe.
Travelling without replacements, Minety started the game playing up the hill and against the wind. Even so, they were the first to score, as Radcliffe blazed over for a try from 25 metres out, breaking two attempted tackles as he made his way to the line.
After that, Midsomer Norton took advantage of the slope and wind to pin the visitors back into their own 22. After 10 minutes, the pressure told and the home side broke through for a try which they converted to gain a narrow two-point lead at the break.
The second half was full of endeavour but for a long time remained stalemated. High winds made lineouts a lottery for both teams while, for the third week running, Minety dominated the scrums, despite having by far the lighter pack. Midsomer Norton had a player sin binned for violent conduct and then Minety lost their skipper Steve Murray for 10 minutes when he had to retire to the touchline for running repairs following an injury.
But Minety stuck to their task and their efforts paid off when Gareth Pierce, making his debut at flyhalf, slotted a penalty from 20 metres to put his team narrowly ahead once more.
Minety’s man of the match Radcliffe sealed the win with a surging run from inside his own half. Four opponents tried to stop him but couldn’t hold him as he sprinted in to touch down under the posts. Pierce then kicked the conversion to make it 7-15 before Murray returned for the last 10 minutes to supervise his team’s stout defence of their lead.
Minety seconds take a break this Saturday but return to league action on 19 February in a home tie against Wootton Bassett thirds.