MINETY came away with a losing bonus point as they fell to defeat 15-10 at local rivals Sutton Benger in Dorset & Wilts One North.

It was the Minety pack that ran the show in the early exchanges as Benger were pushed back, giving scrum-half Sam Hughes opportunity to launch ball out to the backs.

However, the hosts began to dominate in the loose – also missing a pair of penalty attempts – as the Minety defence struggled to deal with Benger’s strong running backs.

There were chances for the visitors though. Winger Dave Cook intercepted a pass in his own 22, only to be brought down 30 metres from the line.

Effective use of their backs saw Minety push the issue leading up to the half-hour mark, Tom McAllister and his backs putting real pressure on the Benger line following a Hughes break that set Chris Rule away in the 22.

However, Benger went in ahead 7-0 at the interval as, after a period of sustained pressure and Minety unable to clear their lines, the forwards produced a move down the left for the opening try.

Hugo Beanland and Bram Coleman did their best to level before half-time only to be held off.

And within three minutes of the second period opening Minety were level as Andrew Hibbard brought down a lineout and set up a ruck on the tryline, Rule crashing over underneath the posts after Andy Darrell and McAllister had been denied.

A Hughes penalty then had Minety in front before conditions began to deteriorate and the away side lost two players to injury.

Benger regained the lead against the flow of the game, the home outfit camping on the Minety line before whipping the ball out to the left wing to go over, a late penalty extending their winning advantage.

In the division’s other Saturday action, Calne racked up a 27-5 victory over Trowbridge 2nds, while Royal Wootton Bassett 2nds lost out 37-21 to their Frome counterparts.