A dislocated elbow for influential number eight Mark Holdsworth proved to be the turning point for Minety in Saturday's game against Berkshire side Redingensians.

Following Holdsworth's withdrawal 10 minutes before the end of the game, Redingensians scored two late tries to secure a fixture that the home team had seemed on the point of winning.

In a spiteful affair played on a down hideously boggy pitch, Minety held out until 40 minutes into the half, when the constant pressure finally told. Having won possession at a lineout five metres from their own line, the home team failed to control the ball, allowing Redingensians to snap it up and score .

Minety bounced back well with a penalty goal, kicked from 25 metres by centre Peter Roberts.

It was Minety who took the initiative after the break. They penned the visitors back into their own half and Roberts made no mistake with a further penalty.

Now only one point in arrears, Minety were pushing for thw win when Holdsworth suffered his painful injury.

When play eventually restarted, Minety seemed to have lost their momentum and the visitors scored from a tap and go eight metres out.

Minety's attempt to gain territorial advantage by means of long kicks downfield backfired late on, as Redingensians repeatedly caught and counterattacked and sowed up the game.

This Saturday, Minety play host to Bournemouth.

Minety 2nd 7 Swindon 3rd 43

Minety's delight in being able to field a second team for this Dorset and Wilts Two North encounter was only slightly undermined by the acute difficulties posed by a much heavier Swindon pack.

Last week's plea for more front-row players was heeded and the arrival of two new props in the form of Jack Newton and 17-year-old Martin Stewart was well received.

Both played well on their debut and gave hooker Paul Web an excellent platform from which to work.

Elsewhere on the field, Minety's guest flyhalf Andy Edwards put in a fine performance, as did many regular players, including number eight Mark Turner and hard tackling outside centre Kenny Wright.

Swindon scored several pushover tries and eventually won by a comfortable margin, but their hosts tackled well and looked dangerous with the ball in hand.

Minety's try followed an impressive run by fly-half Edwards. When he was held up short of the line, the pack arrived to give him support and move the ball on.

A driving maul took Minety the final few metres they needed, and flanker Dave Peirce completed the move by breaking off with the ball and diving over for a try. Edwards then slotted the conversion.

This Saturday, Minety seconds take on Aldbourne Dabchicks.