There have only been 12 shut outs (where a team has denied the opposition a single point) in D&W1N this season, 5 in the last two weeks and two consecutive shut outs for Minety. After their expansive 32-0 defeat of Warminster last week, this week’s 19-0 defeat of Royal Wootton Bassett was more pragmatic but still very effective in keeping tabs with the teams at the top of the table.
Combe Down missed the chance of a 4 try bonus point in their victory over Melksham while Bradford benefitted from only the second Walk Over in D&W1N this season, when struggling Swindon were unable to fulfil the fixture. Third placed Avonvale continued their impressive rise up the table with a comprehensive victory over Chippenham while Warminster returned to winning ways after a troublesome month with a hard earned victory over improving Trowbridge.
In the other match, the fast improving Pewsey Vale comprehensively defeated Supermarine, who are Minety’s next opposition at Minety Fields on Saturday.
The heavy defeat for the 2nd XV at Trowbridge dented their “Points For / Points Against” totals but did not cost them any places in the league. After a long lay off from compeitive fixtures, Matt Stone’s patched up team found Trowbridge too hot to handle and reports are that a number of the Minety players were to be found in local branches of A&E after the bruising encounter.
In other matches, Bath Saracens took the opportunity to create a gap between themselves and Minety with a good win over Supermarine whilst Chippenham, who travel to Minety on Saturday, overcame third placed Warminster in a high scoriong affair.
Corsham mainatined their lead at the top of the table with another huge bonus point victory, this time Melksham being the hapless visitors.