Saturday 18 February 2012
Old Boys edge home
Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North
Swindon College Old Boys 3rd XV 13pts – Minety 2nd XV 11pts
Minety seconds squandered their second half chances and were narrowly beaten by College Old Boys in a desperately close encounter.
Minety were pleased to welcome back centre Milo Hartley after four months out of the game due to injury, but Swindon College started strongly in poor conditions and slotted an early penalty to go three-nil up. The visitors then levelled the scores thanks to a penalty of their own from Andy Edwards.
The Minety forwards started to dominate and when they won a lineout five metres out, the pack were able to maul their way to the line. Flanker and Man-of-the-Match Jake Norman had the ball in hand and finished the move by diving over for a try in the corner.
A further penalty goal to each side made it 6-11 at half-time.
The decisive score came mid-way through the second half when the Old Boys scored and converted a try after an extended period of pressure in the visitors’ 22.
Minety came back strongly but though they were awarded two close-range penalties, each time they opted for a scrum, clearly believing that they could breach the now tiring Swindon College defence. This confidence proved misplaced, however, as the home side refused to give way and held on to edge the win.