WITH almost the entire first team and over half the second team unavailable, Minety were forced to draft all remaining available players in to fulfil this Dorset and Wilts Division One fixture.

Inevitably, Trowbridge proved superior to the ad hoc combination in all areas of the game and won by a large margin.

With so many players due to attend fly-half James Tweedale's wedding in Malmesbury, this was a game that Minety did not want to play on Saturday. When Trowbridge proved unwilling to change the date Minety found themselves with no choice but to field the best team that they could find or else face losing two league points for failing to fulfil the fixture.

In all, 14 of the regular first team squad were unavailable, 12 because they were going to the wedding and two because of injury. In addition, a further eight regular second team members were also invited to the marriage celebrations.

The Minety side which took the field in Trowbridge contained a large number of veterans, brought out of retirement for the occasion, and a smattering of newer and less experienced players. Determined to give their best for the club, they held Trowbridge at bay for 20 minutes and limited their hosts to a five point lead until nearly the end of the first half.

In the second half, Trowbridge's superior fitness began to tell, and the score soon mounted up in their favour. At times, Minety made things even more difficult for themselves by kicking away possession and three out of Trowbridge's first four tries were run in after they had gathered kicks from their opponents which had failed to find touch.

Trowbridge had the better side on the day and the margin of their victory is a fair indication of their superiority. Minety now look forward to the return fixture later in the season when they hope to field a more competitive team.

Minety face a stiff challenge on Saturday 24 November as the regular first team play a friendly home fixture against Southern Counties South opponents Frome.