A STRING of mistakes at vital times cost Minety dear as they slumped to a 20-10 home defeat to Dorset and Wilts 1 North leaders Bradford-on-Avon.

The two teams slugged it out on a muddy surface through a howling gale, with neither side letting up. Though when it mattered Minety couldn’t execute their game and they were cruelly punished by their visitors.

Playing down slope with the wind at their backs, Minety soon had Bradford under pressure and kicked to the corner following a penalty after three minutes. From the ensuing lineout, the forwards took a neat catch-and-drive that saw Tom Windle bulldoze over for a try.

The game then settled into a hard-fought stalemate that was only broken when – with three minutes to go until half-time – the visitors mounted a spectacular driving maul that took them 40 metres upfield before they eventually crossed to level the score.

Minety responded immediately, running ball from the restart as Luke Radcliff finished off a sweeping move with a try to make it 10-5 in Minety’s favour at the break.

Bradford closed the gap with a penalty two minutes into the second half and from there the league leaders took control and, after turning down a shot at goal in favour of a scrum following a Minety infringement, the visitors crashed over.

As Minety chased the game a Tom Fitzcharles kick was fielded by the Bradford full-back who sprinted home from 60 metres to clinch the points.

Disappointed Minety coach Huw Jones gave his verdict after the game: “We deserved something from the game and fought hard in very difficult conditions, but three mistakes cost us the match and a losing bonus point.”