Unable to field a full team to play their Dorset and Wilts Division 3 fixture at runaway league leaders Amesbury, Minety fielded a team made up of a core of their own players augmented by players loaned from Salisbury teams and Amesbury.
On a bright sunny November afternoon at the picturesque Amesbury ground, the Minety select soon found out why Amesbury are unbeaten this season. The home side, well organised and very powerful, soon made their advantage felt, running in three tries in the first 10 minutes and sewing up their four try bonus point in the 23rd minute.
The Minety select team, to their credit, refused to lie down, and fought for possession and territory and although the first half ended with the home team comfortably 48-0 up, the contest was much more even.
A chance to re-group at half time game the visitors the opportunity to switch some players around and this tactic paid off in the opening exchanges of the second half when they scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes and then battled against the home side for the rest of the game, eventually losing 82-22 in a game where the big winners were sportsmanship and rugby.
Amesbury are clearly going to be a force to be reckoned with in Division 3 and if they do realise their ambition of a first season promotion to Division 2, there are a number of teams there who will find them more than a match!
Minety Select 2nd XV
Congratulations must go out to both sets of players for their commitment, sense of fair play and desire to play open and attacking rugby.
Thanks must also go to the members and supporters of Amesbury who made the small Minety party so welcome and cheered both teams on with equal enthusiasm.