Minety 29 - Warminster 8
Minety defeated Warminster in the 2nd round of the Dorset and Wilts Vase at Chippenham’s new all weather facility on Wednesday night.
The match was orginally scheduled to be played at Warminster on the previous Saturday but was switched to an 8pm Wednesday evening at Chippenham after concerns about pitch conditions after the recent spell of very heavy rainfall across the region.
Minety’s 29 – 8 victory came against a Warminster team who have shown good form this season, defeating Marlborough, Melksham, Minety and Sutton Benger thus far in the league.
Jack Ward opened the scoring in the 3rd minute after a fine break away try involving Luke Radcliffe, captain Andrew Hibbard and others. Garin Garland converted the try to put Minety 7 – 0 up.
Warminster struck back with a penalty and then an unconverted try in the 16th minute to lead by 8 – 7 before Andrew Hibbard struck for a try after period of Minety pressure on the Warminster line.
With rain falling heavily, both teams fought out the rest of the half with Minety turning roujnd at half time with a 12 – 8 lead.
As the rain continued to fall there is no doubt that the game would have been abandoned were it not played on the newly laid all weather pitch at Chippenham.
Ward added a second try in the 46th minute, again converted by Garland and the victory was sealed on the hour when flanker Jay Thompson crossed for a fine try, with the conversion by Garland.
Garland ended the scoring with a surprise drop goal in the 70th minute to put the village side 29 – 8 ahead and they held out for a fine win.
Film of the match can be found on the Minety player (MTV) page – see the right hand menu option.
Team: Colin French, Tom Claxton, Mark Glew, Ben Scott, Matt Stone, Jay Thompson, Kieran Tillotson, Andrew Hibbard (c), Sam Hughes, Garin Garland, Dave Cooke, Luke Radcliffe, Jack Ward, Del Murray and Chris Rule. Replacements: Andy Darrall, Matt Chisholm, Morgan Aubrey and Scott Thompson.