Minety 1st XV v Supermarine 1st XV

Saturday 21 January 2012

Minety blow a gale

Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North

Minety 1st XV 29pts – Supermarine 1st XV 19pts

An outstanding team performance and a hat-trick of tries from winger Dale Langdown earned Minety a bonus-point win over promotion prospects Supermarine.

Playing down the slope with a strong wind at their backs, Supermarine had everything in their favour in the first half but were continually thwarted by Minety’s dogged defence. Their only try came from Minety’s spilled possession. Hacking on, the visitors chased the ball to the line. A ruck formed but the hosts were penalised for handling. Supermarine opted for a quick tap and bagged a short-range try which they promptly converted.

Minety responded with a 15-man onslaught up hill and were eventually awarded a penalty of their own in Supermarine’s 22. Lock Matt Hooper made the initial charge before the ball was passed blind to centre Jack Ward. His step and dummy created space outside for Langdown to burst through and score in the corner.

Ahead 5-7, Supermarine made an energetic start to the second half but could not get past their opponents. Instead, Minety stormed down the slope, retaining ball through successive phases. Hooker Wes Clamp took quick ruck ball and slipped it to Langdown, who came onto it at speed and clattered down the touchline for another try in the corner.

With both sides going flat out, the result hung in the balance. First Supermarine launched a charge up the right-hand flank. Their winger chipped ahead, won the race to the ball and touched down to give his team back the lead. A fine piece of goal kicking made it 10-14 to Supermarine.

Then Minety’s predatory number 8 Andrew Hibbard pounced on loose ball to put the home team back in front.

Ward’s successful goal kick made it 17-14, but any hopes the home side had of shutting up shop were dashed when one of their flankers was yellow carded.

With the light going and the clock ticking down, Minety were now 17-19 down but an astonishing 40 metre run from Langdown saw him weave and dodge through the visitors’ defence for his third try of the afternoon.Supermarine hustled, quick hands created an overlap and they ran in a try out wide.

Ward’s conversion put the hosts five points clear before prop Martin Coe put the seal on Minety’s victory with a powerful try by the right-hand corner flag.

Minety coach Huw Jones’ verdict was succinct: “Our best game of the season so far.”