MINETY paid the price for a slow start as hosts Warminster seized a 31-22 triumph in Dorset & Wilts One North.
The visitors made a poor start as Warminster secured the ball from kick-off and a move involving their entire backline ended with Tom Evans crossing the line and Jason Prangle adding the conversion.
Both sides' defences then excelled, Warminster's ferocious tackling stopping Minety's progress while a home breakaway was foiled by smothering tackles from centre Jack Howse and winger Ben Langridge.
Warminster doubled their lead in the 11th minute with another breakaway try as Ross Williams outpaced a threadbare defence to score under the posts, making the conversion simple for Sprangle.
Warminster’s third try came after a period of Minety pressure as a neat interchange allowed Sikeli Rokovunicagi through for a score.
Minety got on the scoresheet nine minutes into the second half when, after Warminster were penalised for a high tackle, Garin Garland took a tap penalty and fed hooker Tom Claxton, who charged through to score.
The visitors' second try came direct from the kick off and featured scrum-half Garland and his elder brother and full-back Elis, making a comeback after over a year out.
Breaking the home line, the younger Garland fed his brother who outpaced six defenders to score wide on the left.
But Minety's desire to play cost them as a move broke down and Sprangle pounced to touch down and convert.
Del Murray scored Minety’s third try after they won a line-out and scrum-half Garland spotted a gap by the touchline to send the wing in by the corner flag before adding the conversion.
But Warminster struck back and a slick move across the backs saw Williams touch down for a fifth try, Sprangle again adding the extras.
Pewsey Vale picked up their first victory of the season as they edged out hosts Royal Wootton Bassett 2nd 20-19.
Vale were trailing 12-5 at half-time, Bassett scoring two tries, one of which was converted, but turned matters around after wing Rhys Gilbert had dotted down in the corner, fly-half Tom Regan’s conversion drifting wide.
An interception try for Bassett at the start of the second half left Pewsey in more trouble but after constant pressure resulting in a lineout on the five metre line, a catch and drive sent flanker Chris Spence over for the try, Regan added the extras.
The game began to swing Pewsey’s way with total domination at the scrum and the forwards edging the gain-line battle, while ferocious tackling by centres Pete Baird and Jamie Fox frustrated the attacking Bassett back line.
Regan added a penalty to cut the deficit to 19-15 before with five minutes to go Spence broke from the base of a scrum, his sweeping run putting wing Will Bowerman in a successful foot race to the line from halfway for the winning score.
Pewsey also welcomed back prop Olly Spence who arrived from the hospital to play, having welcomed his new born son Alfred.
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