Saturday 18 January 2014
Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North
Minety silence Valed threat
Pewsey Vale 1st XV 10pts – Minety 1st XV 32pts
A first-half try kept Pewsey Vale in the match for a while, but Minety pulled away after the break to record a bonus point win.
Minety got off to a flying start. Back on his own 22, scrumhalf Duncan Simpson sniped round the fringes of a ruck to break Pewsey’s line before offloading to flanker Steve Brown. He then scooted the length of the pitch, unselfishly drawing the last man before passing to number 8 Andrew Hibbard, who piled over in the corner for the try.
Pewsey soon replied. Their flyhalf slipped through a gap in the visitors’ defence and touched down under the posts to set up an easy conversion.
Half an hour in, Minety put together a series of flowing rucks before feeding ball out to Dale Langdown. His overhead pass released centre Dave Church, who was stopped just shy of the line. Quick recycling go things going again and Ward’s popped pass to Hibbard set him up for his second try of the afternoon.
Ward kicked the conversion but Pewsey came back with a penalty goal to make it 10-12 at the break.
Minety switched up a gear in the second half and soon moved out of Pewsey’s reach. Piers Dixon’s tackling was particularly impressive, while his tactical kicking gained valuable territory.
Ward kicked a penalty goal, then try number three came when Church crashed through Pewsey’s tackles and offloaded to Robin Greenway, who sprinted over the line unopposed.
Ward posted the conversion but the hosts began to show their frustrations and one of their flankers was binned for stamping on an opponent.
Ward then added a second penalty goal.
Minety’s final touchdown came from a catch-and-drive at a lineout. Gethin Roberts protected the ball and grounded it for the try as Pewsey buckled under the onslaught of the visiting pack. Another goal from Ward made it 10-32 at the whistle.
This win sees Minety move up to second in the league while Pewsey remain grounded at the foot of the table.