MARVELLOUS Minety celebrated their own version of the 'Grand Slam' as a hard-fought 15-8 victory at Supermarine completed a clean sweep in their 12 Dorset & Wilts Division Two North matches this season.

Despite yielding an early lead to the home side, Minety fought back to maintain their perfect record.

The defeat stalled Marine's push for second place and an end-of-season promotion play-off, although Cricklade's 17-0 home defeat by Hungerford meant they did not lose any ground in that race.

Minety skipper Charlie Gawthropp meanwhile, was able to bask in the glory of his side's magnificent achievement.

Gawthropp said: "It was a tough game against good opposition but we came through in the end. All in all, it was a great way to finish off the campaign.

"When we were demoted at the end of last season, we swore that we would win every league game this year, and that's exactly what we've done.

"We've proved our point and made sure we return to Dorset & Wilts One in style.''

Perhaps Minety's hardest test was saved until last as Marine set about boosting their own ambitions.

It was the home side that opened the scoring in the first few minutes.

Forceful running from centre partners Mark Sheppard and Marv Woodhouse opened up the blindside, which Tim Gallimore exploited to score a brilliant try in the corner.

The Marine scrum was in solid form, but despite plentiful possession, points-scoring chances were wasted.

And Minety replied with a superb score of their own as fly-half James Tweedale sweetly dummied his opposite number, stepped inside and swerved around the full-back to score a try he converted himself under the posts.

Marine dominated the remainder of the first half, but Minety's defence held firm and the home side had to content themselves with Gallimore's penalty which established a one-point lead.

In the second half Marine found their attacks slowed down by the visitors and, on the rare occasions full-back Clarke and wingers Huggins and White saw the ball, Minety's defence again stood firm.

With fresh legs at full-back and No 8, in the form of Tim Vaughan and Mark Holdsworth respectively, Minety gradually began to force the pace.

Midway through the half, they won a lineout seven metres from the Marine line and set up their favoured catch-and-drive move.

Hooker Dave Peirce carried the ball forwards and although heroic defence parried that attack, scrum-half Andy Brown sneaked around the blindside and his pass sent wing Ian Neal through a despairing tackle in the corner.

The kick was missed, but Minety continued to make inroads and when Tweedale kicked another penalty, there seemed to be no way back for Marine.

They battered away, bringing on fresh faces in the form of Paul Fitchett in the front row for Harper and Moulden for Kev Ashman. But they were unable to break through and Minety were left to celebrate.