A DEPLETED Minety hung on for a narrow 17-12 win away at Calne in Dorset & Wilts 1 North.

The powerful home pack dominated the early possesion.

When Minety did get the ball they managed their set-piece well, stealing a Calne line-out through Ashley Windle.

Ball-in-hand, Minety’s backs had the edge over their opponents and they provided the opening score when Dave Church linked neatly with fly-half Jack Ward to run in a try from 30 metres out.

Ward added the conversion despite a fierce cross-wind.

Ward then took the scoring into his own hands, reaching out of the tackle to place the ball on the line for a try in the corner to give the visitors a 12-0 at the half.

Calne kept the ball amongst their forwards after the break, scoring when Martin McCafferty broke up the narrow side of a ruck 10 metres from the line.

A deep Calne line-out gave Minety an opportunity to hit back immediately. Tom Fitzcharles and openside flanker Steve Brown charged down the Calne fly-half behind his own line, Brown pouncing on the loose ball to claim the try.

As Minety hung on, Calne were issued a penalty try and prop Martin Coe a yellow card as the foul count grew. An easy conversion from Matt Kelly made it 17-12 in favour of the visitors.

Calne’s hopes of an equaliser faded, allowing Minety to close out a hard-fought win.