NEW club coach Richard Hall declared himself more than happy with Minety’s nine-try 53-7 victory in a pre-season friendly match against Gloucestershire side Cainscross.

The visitors took a surprise lead with a break away try in the first five minutes but a powerful Minety team, made up of predominantly second team players and some first teamers out of position, ran in nine tries, including braces for flanker Harry Neal and first team skipper Andrew Hibbard.

“It was a bit messy at times and there was evidence of pre season rustiness but overall I was very happy with the way that the lads played and the spirit that they showed,” said former Bath Colts and Gloucester player Hall, whose side kick off their Dorset & Wilts One North campaign at home to Pewsey Vale a week on Saturday.

“We’ll need to sharpen up our set pieces and make sure that our ruck ball is won cleanly and quickly.

“I’d like to see the backs running from deeper positions but I feel confident about the coming season.

“I definitely feel that we’ve got the players here at Minety to win the league, assuming that we can always put out our strongest team.”