CAPTAIN Andrew Hibbard saluted his side as Minety surged to second in Dorset & Wilts One North with a convincing victory over Supermarine.

Playing downhill and with a fierce wind behind them, Minety needed to maximise their first-half advantage and did so with some of the best rugby seen at the club in recent years.

Hibbard said: “We piled on the pressure in the first half, playing rugby that suited the difficult conditions.

"It was a great performance and one that stands us in good stead for the upcoming regional cup tie and the rest of the league season."

The home team totally dominated the first 20 minutes with multiple phases of possession and fine moves across the field.

After centre Luke Radcliffe and flanker James Stuart had gone close, Max Sparrow took advantage of a tap penalty to take the defence by surprise and race through for the first try, which fly-half Jack Ward converted.

The home side extended their lead to 14 points when hooker Will North scored after a fine interchange between backs and forwards.

The result was almost sealed in the 31st minute when strong running from Ward, full-back Dale Langdown and Stuart carved the defence open to allow centre Matt Roberts to score, Ward converting.

With a 21-0 lead at half time, the Minety team were brimming with confidence, despite now playing uphill and into a gale-force wind.

Ward kicked a penalty to extend the lead before, in the 49th minute, winger David Cooke scored the bonus-point fourth try close to the posts after a move that featured all of the backs and most of the forwards.

Supermarine hit back with a converted try from Mike Smith, Sean Rees adding the extras, in the 55th minute before Ward kicked another penalty to extend the lead to 34-5.

A late, converted try for the visitors followed from Mike Baptiste in the 77th minute.

Minety coach Andy Ward added: “I thought this would be a difficult match for the lads after last week’s (Dorset & Wilts Senior Vase) cup win.

"We knew we had to start strongly and we did just that. Those first 20 minutes showed what a strong side we are.

"We defended well when called upon but our attacking play was excellent. All of the hard work on the training ground is now paying rich dividends.”