A penalty try denied Minety's second string a second victory in Dorset & Wilts Division 2 North as Wootton Bassett 3rd salvaged a 17-17 draw.

With no first XV fixture for the second week running, Minety were able to reinforce their struggling second string with five first team players.

This ensured that the home team had significantly greater strength at the set pieces, but a lack of control and co-ordination prevented them from ever fully capitalising on their advantage. In contrast, Wootton Bassett's teamwork and loose play ensured that they made the most of their own possession.

The score was 10-10 at the break, with each team having scored a converted try and a penalty goal.

Minety's try was scored by No 8 Keith Arrell.

The stalemate continued in the second half until Minety prop Charlie Gawthropp took a clean catch in the middle of the field from an ill-executed clearance kick.

He set up a passing move which found its way to full-back Luke Huckin, who sped up the touchline.

He passed inside to winger Jan Hansford, on loan from Bassett as replacement for the injured Will Howse, and he romped home for a try under the posts.

James Tweedale added the conversion and Minety, at that stage, seemed to have done enough.

Bassett were not going to give up without a fight, however, and in the final minutes of the game they managed to work the ball down into the home 22.

Bassett had struggled to contain Minety in the set scrummage, and found it ever harder to keep their feet as they tired in the second half.

The referee, though, blamed the home side for the scrum collapsing and warned Minety about the possibility of a penalty try.

At the next scrum, the players went to ground and the referee awarded the penalty try, which was easily converted.