Tadley saw the return of Duncan Harris to second row following his finger injury and the exchange of shirts in the back row that saw Mike Keeley finally taking possession of the number eight shirt and Rob Murray moving to the blind side.
The game started with a scrum as a result of an error from the Minety kicker and although it became clear very early that Minety would compete in the tight Tadley made the most of this possession and within a very short time had secured three points through the boot of fly half Chris Dennison.
Minety up until this point had been starved of possession but demonstrated that their back division lead by their scrum half were dangerous from any where on the park. Exploiting some Tadley errors the away team exerted a period of concerted pressure on the home team. Their first try was an impressive solo effort from their scrum half and the second came from a scrum with a well rehearsed move that left the Tadley defenders grasping at air.
Realising the enormity of the situation the Tadley side rallied. The pack lead the home side resurgence that initially started in the scrum with some determined work from the front five and with some powerful running by Mike Keeley who was looking far to comfortable at the back of the scrum afforded the home team some forward momentum. Other Tadley forwards also appeared to realise that they could carry the ball too with some excellent work from Gordon Grierson and Rob Lowe meant the home team could play their rugby in the Minety half. The cool head and vastly improved boot of Chris Dennison meant that Tadley could exploit two Minety infringements bringing the score line back to 10 – 9 at half time.
With as many positives as negatives to discuss at half time the Tadley side were under no illusions about what was required.
The home team started the second half as they had ended the first and attacked the Minety line for over ten minutes and to the credit of the away side were made to work hard for their points but a lineout drive was then hit short again to centre Andy Williams who was able to break the initial tackles and remain on his feet allowing back rowers Darren Staley and Rob Murray to drive him towards the line allowing Rob Murray to cross the line near the posts. The conversion added by Chris Dennison brought the score line to 16 – 10 in favour of the home team.
Minety showed that they were by no means beaten and demonstrating that they were ambitious and willing to attack from every where and took a penalty quickly crossing the Tadley line.
With the score now at 16 – 15 it could have gone either way but the physicality of the game was starting to take it’s toll on the Minety players who suffer several injuries. Tadley now had the bit between their teeth and were determined not to allow this game to slip from their grasp the pack again set the standard and played with confidence and determination taking the ball up and offloading in contact with a very impressive passage of play that saw Mike Keeley and Darren Staley take the ball over half the length of the pitch between them and this territory was again converted into a try by Mike Keeley, which was again converted by Chris Dennison.
Further injuries to the Minety side saw them resort to bringing on their coach on who’s first touch was from a restart that saw him meet the Tadley back row.
Minety were forced into infringements in their own 22 leading to two yellow cards for offences around the break down and Tadley were really able to pressurise the remaining members of the Minety pack. But the Minety backs still had the resolve to add a further try from a break away effort.
Charlie Cox concluded the tries with a impressive solo effort and his confidence in breaking tackles and beating defenders could have been confused with deafness.
Chris Dennison added a further three points from a penalty to put the game out of reach and the final score 33-20.
Minety came to Red Lane clearly determined to win but Tadley matched this determination and will take huge confidence from their first win in several weeks.
Further mentioned is deserved for Chris Dennison who’s personal points tally of 18 points and his restarts were the best they have been all season. However
man of the match goes to Gordon Grierson
for excellent work in the scrum and lineout and awesome ball carrying.
Tadley - Cole, Dampies, Cox, Williams, Pike, Dennison, Bailey, Grierson, summers, Lowe, Harris, botha, Murray(C), Staley, Keeley
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