Calne Rugby Football Club

Calne Clear Out The Mine Threat

Trys from Richard Kearney and Andrew Donegan help see off a highly motivated and determined Minety. The re-jigged Calne side uncharacteristically started very strongly with No 8 Alan Wicks picking and driving in to the heart of Minety’s defence. Minety held Wicks off but the quick ball presented was shipped to Kearney, who Minety failed to stop.

The build up of nervous energy, and pressure to chase for promotion, seen last week against Supermarine, was nowhere to be seen. Calne took pressure off of themselves and took a more relaxed attitude into the encounter. Calne allowed themselves to play with pose and style and they did this throughout and front of the large home crowd of Vice Presidents and guests. The home team went about their new free playing style and the call-up of Andrew Bowers from the second team proved to be a rewarding call for the selectors. The first team return of Johnny Hope-Smith was also greatly welcomed. The big pacey winger looked a handful and Minety constantly need two or three men to drag him down.

Calne attacked again from the restart and pushed the vistors deep into their own half. But Minety were able to rip the ball out of a tackle and run around the last man for a score levelling try, against the run of play. The conversion took Minety head for the first and last time in the game.

Minety were now at full steam and looking very threatening, mixing their game well, the forwards looked like they enjoyed making the hard yards and the backs always looking for weaknesses in the opposite numbers.

The home team were able to contain anything Minety had to offer, mainly thanks to one of the highest individual tackle counts of the season, from openside, Damon Murphy. And ferocious rucking from the front row of Mat Arnold, Max Whiston and Mick Dyer.

All this pressure, territory and possession inevitably lead to Minety conceding penalties. Donegan was clinical and took the two chances on offer, resorting Calne’s lead, much to the delight of the Vice Presidents.

The story of the second half saw much of the same. Calne dominating possession and the set pieces and camping in Minety’s half. Minety put on a classy rearguard action and tackled with tons of pride and kept Calne out until the 60th minute of play. Donegan broke so quickly from the back of a scrum that he, as well as the visiting team, managed to catch his own team mates, spectators and referee out as he sniped to the line. And to cap a wonderful period of play Donegan added his own conversion.

Final Score. Calne 21 Minety 7

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