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Saturday 8 March 2014 Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North Minety pay for bad habits Combe Down 1st XV 31pts – Minety 1st XV 26 pts Minety were made to pay for missed tackles and kicking away possession as free-running Combe Down outscored them five tries to four. Minety started poorly, dropping the kick-off and immediately putting themselves under pressure. A break by Tom Fitzcharles almost put things back on track but he was hauled down just short of the line. Combe Down had a surer touch, and when their scrumhalf took a tap penalty on Minety’s 22, he slipped through two tackles and dotted down for the try. Repeating earlier errors, the visitors struggled to field the restart and the home team lost no time in hassling their way through for try number two. Minety shored up their defence and gradually worked their way back into the game. Taking ball only five metres from his own line, Duncan Simpson made it over half way before he was tackled. Gethin Roberts and Pete Hazell carried the ball into Combe Down’s 22, but though the home side brought Hazell down, flanker Stephen Brown was on hand to ruck the ball back. Simpson picked up and completed the move he started by dashing the last 15 metres for a try. Further runs and quick rucks set up Jack Ward for Minety’s second try, but Combe Down had the last word, ending the half with a try as their centre sped through a series of ineffectual tackles. The second half got under way with Minety kicking ball away which their hosts’ gifted threequarters lost no time in running back at them. Effortlessly creating overlaps, they ran in two more tries while the visitors scarcely laid a hand on them. Playing catch-up, Minety began to put together some solid phases. A well-timed pass by Gareth Peirce put Fitzcharles away for a try from 10 metres out and Simon Rowe had a try disallowed after the referee decided he had put a foot in touch. Another opportunity went begging when Minety dropped a crucial pass a metre short of the line, but when Roberts sliced through the defence, Brown was on hand to score the final try. Fitzcharles’ successful conversion took his team’s tally to 26 points, but left them still short of Combe Down’s total. Minety’s four tries and close finish earned them two bonus points, but the defeat cost them top spot in the league. Bradford-on-Avon now head the table, though third place Supermarine are on a winning streak and have two games in hand.

Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North Barnstorming Minety 1st XV 24pts – Trowbridge 2nd XV 12pts Minety put in a barnstorming second half performance to turn a 12 point deficit into an emphatic 24-12 win over top of the table rivals Trowbridge seconds. Weeks of rain on the Minety clay had produced a slippery playing surface but with a superior lineout and scrum and excellent driving play, Trowbridge dominated much of the first half. A penalty kick to touch on the half hour mark set up Trowbridge’s next score, as their pack secured clean lineout ball and drove it confidently over the try line. A good kick secured the extras and Minety were 12 points down. When swift passing and good pace put Minety flyhalf Jack Ward across the line just before the end of the half, things seemed to be looking up for the hosts, but he stumbled in the mud and a dropped the ball left the scoreboard untroubled. The second half was a different story. If Minety have often played better, they have rarely played with greater passion and purpose. Further forays kept the visitors on the back foot but a magnificent try by Tom Windle, who bundled through four attempted tackles on his way to the line, gave Ward a conversion attempt to level the score. He kicked the goal and, mid-way through the half, the teams were level pegging. A kick and chase nearly resulted in another Minety try but the ball went dead. Kicking to the other end of the field, Trowbridge attempted another catch and drive for the line but conceded a penalty to their hosts instead. Offered the narrowest of blind sides, scrumhalf Max Sparrow caught his opponents off guard by squeezing between the remnants of a maul and the touchline before sprinting 60 metres down the touch line for a try in the corner. Disappointed by the score, one of the Trowbridge props decided to put Ward in a headlock, a move which prompted the referee to yellow card Ward in a decision which baffled many spectators. Another unstoppable run from Tom Windle secured the fourth, bonus point, try and Tom Fitzcharles’ successful conversion brought Minety’s tally to 24 points. Minety coach Huw Jones was quick to commend his players: “That was a superb performance. Having been 12 points down at the break, we kept them under pressure for the whole of the second half to secure a four try bonus point win.”

Minety Annual Invitation Seven-a-Side Rugby Tournament Ten out of 10 for Minety 7s Final of Men’s Cup: Minety RFC 10pts – Bristol University 33pts Final of Ladies’ Cup: Trojans Ladies beat Supermarine Ladies Final of Men’s Plate: Sutton Benger RFC 5pts – Swansea Metropolitan University 26pts Bristol University won this year’s Minety 7s in a thrilling final against the hosts. The two teams were the swiftest in the competition, but the students had the quicker hands, changing the point of attack at lightning speed and running away with the game 10-33 in the second half. The match was the climax of a wonderful day’s rugby, a big occasion for this small but community-minded Wiltshire village. The sun shone, the crowds gathered, and 18 men’s teams and six women’s teams played a non-stop round of matches on three adjacent pitches. It was hugely entertaining and the standard of rugby impressively high. The final of the Ladies’ Cup was played between Trojans and Supermarine, with the women from Southampton securing victory. The Men’s Plate, the Oh-So-Nearly Cup, was won by the students from Swansea Metropolitan University, who beat Sutton Benger 26-5 in the final. A big thank you from Minety Rugby Club to organiser Jack Ward, to the 240 players who took part, to those who helped run the day, and to all those who came along to watch and made it such a special occasion. Men’s Teams: Minety RFC Minety Dreamers Minety Academy 2K11 Bristol University Gloucestershire University Swansea Metropolitan University Worcester University Chippenham Academy Cirencester RFC Gosford All Blacks RFC Pewsey Vale RFC Supermarine RFC Sutton Benger RFC Cirencester College Pirates Crusaders Dyson Hacking Jackets One Direction Women’s Teams: Miren (Minety & Cirencester Ladies) Baa Baas Hornettes Supermarine Ladies Trojans Ladies Worcester University Ladies RESULTS GROUP 1Minety RFC10Cirencester RFC0Gloucestershire University29Chippenham Academy0Hacking Jackets22Gosford All Blacks RFC0Cirencester RFC0Gloucestershire University10Gosford All Blacks RFC0Minety RFC38Chippenham Academy12Hacking Jackets5Gosford All Blacks RFC10Cirencester RFC0Gloucestershire University37Hacking Jackets0Minety RFC35Chippenham Academy14Gosford All Blacks RFC7Gloucestershire University36Cirencester RFC0Chippenham Academy10Minety RFC30Hacking Jackets0Chippenham Academy24Gosford All Blacks RFC7Minety RFC17Gloucestershire University7Cirencester RFC0Hacking Jackets10 GROUP 2One Direction10Crusaders0Worcester University19Minety Dreamers5Supermarine RFC12Sutton Benger RFC32Crusaders0Worcester University10Sutton Benger RFC17One Direction14Minety Dreamers0Supermarine RFC29Sutton Benger RFC10Crusaders0Worcester University17Supermarine RFC0One Direction38Minety Dreamers0Sutton Benger RFC5Worcester University21Crusaders0Minety Dreamers10Supermarine RFC7One Direction12Minety Dreamers0Sutton Benger43One Direction24Worcester University5Crusaders0Supermarine RFC10 GROUP 3Cirencester College Pirates17Minety Academy 2K1117Bristol University26Dyson0Pewsey Vale RFC0Swansea Metropolitan Uni24Minety Academy 2K110Bristol University36Swansea Metropolitan Uni10Cirencester College Pirates12Dyson0Pewsey Vale33Swansea Metropolitan Uni26Minety Academy 2K115Bristol University19Pewsey Vale RFC17Cirencester College Pirates19Dyson7Swansea Metropolitan Uni0Bristol University34Minety Academy 2K1110Dyson12Pewsey Vale RFC12Cirencester College Pirates14Dyson5Swansea Metropolitan Uni24Cirencester College Pirates10Bristol University14Minety Academy 2K110Pewsey Vale RFC38 Men’s Plate Semi-Finals Swansea Metropolitan Uni 33 – Worcester University 5 Cirencester College Pirates 17 – Sutton Benger RFC 24 Men’s Cup Semi-Finals Minety RFC 22 – One Direction 12 Gloucestershire University 17 – Bristol University 36 Men’s Plate Final Swansea Metropolitan Uni 26 – Sutton Benger RFC 5 Men’s Cup Final Minety RFC 10 – Bristol University 33 LADIES’ CUPWorcester University Ladies0Supermarine Ladies10Miren19Hornettes24Baa Baas0Trojans Ladies10Supermarine Ladies12Miren10Trojans Ladies10Worcester University Ladies0Hornettes10Baa Baas17Trojans Ladies15Supermarine Ladies10Miren10Baa Baas17Worcester University Ladies0Hornettes10Trojans Ladies?Miren?Supermarine Ladies26Hornettes15Baa Baas10Worcester University Ladies0Hornettes5Trojans Ladies19Worcester University Ladies0Miren10Supermarine Ladies22Baa Baas14 Ladies’ Cup Final Trojans Ladies beat Supermarine Ladies (score?)

Saturday 14 September 2013 Dorset & Wilts Division 3 Inexperienced Minety 2nd XV 10pts – Bradford-on-Avon 2nd XV 27pts A young Minety second team struggled to turn possession into points against more experienced opponents from Bradford-on-Avon. Having already lost key players either to injury or the first XV, Minety seconds entered their first league game of the season with a lot of new faces in the team. Playing downhill in the first half, Bradford demonstrated quick hands and even quicker legs, running in early tries to build a substantial lead. Minety fought hard to get back up the slope and eventually got onto the scoreboard thanks to a well worked try by the forwards, mauling over from an attacking lineout. The half ended with the score 5-20 in Bradford’s favour. Minety attacked straight from the restart and camped in Bradford’s half for a good 10 minutes before being forced back by a kick. Gathering the ball and regrouping, the home side put together a steady string of phases which took them back down the slope, where Andy Edwards finished the move with a try. Just when Minety appeared to have got back into contention, Bradford scored a run-away try under the posts and converted it. Their hosts came back strongly but failed to turn territory and possession into points and were well beaten at the final whistle.

The Dreamers, meanwhile, played well but could have done with a few more replacements on the bench. They eventually went down 10-19 at home to Trowbridge thirds. Reports on both games are now in the Match Reports section. There was also success for Minety last week in the winter skittles league. Remarkably, the rugby club beat the MPFA committee 278-226. Gabriel Skinner bowled a terrific 44, making him the highest scorer in the league this season. Full details on the Skittles Results & Reports page. This Saturday, 5 October 2013, the 1st XV are away against Supermarine while the seconds travel away to Combe Down seconds. Kick-offs: 3 pm.

Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North A spirited performance Melksham 1st XV 47 pts – Minety 1st XV 15 pts A terrific first half from Minety saw them one point ahead at the break, but when Melksham rejigged their front row, they pulled away in the second half. Good hands and a neat inside pass put Melksham through for the opening try of the game but Minety soon struck back with a try from flyhalf Will Dyer. A dash down the left touchline for the Melksham winger took him deep into the visitors’ 22 before a pass inside was snapped up by the fullback, who burst over for the try. A conversion in off the upright made it 14-5 in Melksham’s favour. An inspired break and slick inside pass by Greenway set up Minety’s next try, which was finished by Dyer to give his team a slender one point lead at the break. Melksham swapped out an inexperienced prop and brought in an old hand for the second half. It made all the difference. Dominating up front and often taking strikes against the head, they denied Minety possession and gave their talented threequarters plenty of quick ball to play with. The visitors never gave up and had some highly effective passages of play, but they eventually tired under the weight of continuous defence and leaked late points. Though disappointed by the score line, Minety coach Huw Jones was delighted with his team’s effort and praised them for what he described as “a spirited performance.” This Saturday, Minety play hosts to Trowbridge seconds.

Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North First win away Fairford 7 pts – Minety 1st XV 30 pts Shaking off the disappointments of the last two months, Minety steamrollered a lively Fairford side with a cracking display of no-nonsense tackling, committed rucking and nimble running rugby. Winger Piers Dixon was in effervescent form for Minety. Showing terrific pace and ball control, he won a chip and chase down the right flank to score the opening try of the match and followed up with a more conventional try after benefiting from a crisp passing move down the threequarter line. An easy conversion plus a penalty goal gave Minety a 20 point lead at the break. Starting the second half with a bang, Minety turned round an initial Fairford attack and Langdown was soon tearing down the right touchline with no one able to lay a hand on him. Finally brought down just short of the line, he slipped the ball to scrumhalf Andy Brown who swooped over for the try. Although they had their fair share of the ball, Fairford struggled to make any inroads against Minety’s rush defence. Using their big lock to run at the opposition proved ineffective, but when, mid-way through the half, they established a maul deep in Minety’s 22, flanker Robbie Brown was able to break away and burrow over for a try. Minety coach Huw Jones was thrilled with his team’s performance. “It was a fantastic team effort. Our rucking was dynamic and the defence superb. Everyone contributed. It’s a victory that sets us up nicely for our double-header against Sutton Benger.” Minety play the first leg of that double-header this Saturday, away at Sutton Benger.

Saturday 30 October 2010 Dorset & Wilts Division 3 North Minety Peirce the Bassett defence Wootton Bassett 3rd XV 5 pts – Minety 2nd XV 15 pts Aided by a string of young and able recruits, Minety seconds moved to the top of Dorset and Wilts Division 3 North on Saturday with a staunch victory away against local rivals Wootton Bassett. Wootton Bassett thirds were first into their stride, kicking off and running in a try almost immediately. Minety’s response was a concerted assault that culminated in inside centre Gareth Peirce breaking through several tackles as he powered in for a try that levelled the scores. A penalty goal from flyhalf Luke Radcliffe increased Minety’s lead to 5-8 by the break. Minety had travelled with only one substitute and had brought him on early in the game when outside centre Kenny Wright had been forced to retire with an injury. When prop Matt Oliver left the field with an injured knee in the second half, Minety were reduced to 14 men and scrums became uncontested. Despite this set back, Peirce scored again for Minety, Radcliffe’s subsequent goal increasing Minety’s tally to 15 points. Digging in, the visitors defended this lead and resolutely prevented Wootton Bassett from scoring again and claiming a bonus point. After the game, Minety skipper Steve Murray was swift to praise his team. “Gareth Peirce was our Man of the Match, but we also owe a big thanks to the Minety RFC Academy, who enabled us to field a side by making a number of young players available. There was Dan Shepherd at fullback and John Shepherd at flanker, plus Luke Smith, who played on the wing for us and had great game. Our other 17 year old was Ashley Windle, who played at flanker and was quite outstanding.” This Saturday, Minety seconds play against Stroud Nomads in the first round of the Stroud Combination Cup.

I have had a very sad phone call from my God Daughter Victoria who said her father John sadly passed away last night. He has had respiratory problems for some time and developed a urinary infection just before the weekend and his respiratory problems worsened and he was unable to survive. He was a very good friend to us all and particularly Minety RFC in the early days, I am sure you can all remember him filling up the wooden bath in the Band Hall with a hose pipe over the road during the night before a home game!! Please pass this on to anyone who might have known him and I will let as many as I can know when the funeral will be. NEWS JUST IN Pete Gifford writes: I have just heard that there will be a service, after the private cremation, at Crudwell Church at 2.00pm on Thursday the 10th June. Please can you pass this on to as many as possible. Many thanks Pete To leave a comment or to read others’ comments on this news, click on the title of this item (“John Lewis” – above).

Minety U14s, meanwhile, have been showing the seniors how it’s done. Have a look here for a report on their win against Marlborough on Sunday in the Wiltshire Cup: http://www.minetyrfc.com/youth/under14s.html. Training this Tuesday, 26 January, includes a special scrummaging clinic with guest coach. All players, especially the forwards, are encouraged to be there and newcomers would be warmly welcomed. Minety’s next game is at home against Dorchester this Saturday, 30 January 2010. Kick-off is at 2.30 pm. The 2nd XV are without a league fixture but there remains the possibility of a friendly if Ken can sort something out.

We’re half way through the season and the 1st XV are 10th out of 12 teams in Southern Counties South. Meanwhile, the 2nd XV are ninth out of 12 in Dorset & Wilts Division 2 North. Minety’s next games are on Saturday 9 January 2010, when the firsts travel away to take on North Dorset and the seconds play at home against the Melksham 2nd XV. Kick-offs at 2.30 pm.

Saturday 23 November 2013 Dorset & Wilts Division 3 North Emphatic win for the Dreamers Minety 2nd XV 51pts – Supermarine 3rd XV 7pts Minety seconds consolidated their league position with an emphatic home victory over Supermarine thirds. The first half was a scrappy affair. Playing uphill, Minety took a long time to settle into the game. An injury to one of the Supermarine front row necessitated moving the game to another pitch, and after that scrums were uncontested. Gradually, Minety began to get the upper hand. New player Simon Rowe crossed the line but was held up and unable to ground the ball. Then Tom Windle bundled over and this time the try was good. Having kicked the goal, Nick Jones ran in a try of his own to make it 12-nil at the break. Coming downhill in the second half, Minety swept their opponents away. Tom Windle scored two more tries and converted one, while Dellam Murray also landed a brace of tries and Tom Burgess added one more. Luckiest try of the afternoon went to Matt Chisholme, who was standing over the line when the ball bounced off an opponent and right into his hands, leaving him only to flop onto the ground for his first try for Minety. Jones was kept busy kicking conversions and though Supermarine ran in a consolation try, the game belonged squarely to Minety.