MINETY’S fine run of victories in Dorset and Wilts One North came to an end when they were edged out 25-22 by unbeaten Combe Down in an encounter decided by the last kick of the match.

The visitors opened the scoring with a fifth-minute penalty when Minety were punished at the ruck in front of the posts.

The hosts responded from the restart as Garin Garland touched down following a fine move which he began. The scrum-half added the extras to his own score to give Minety a 7-3 lead.

Flanker Josh Bull bagged Minety’s second try of the game before the visitors kicked another penalty.

In testing conditions, Combe Down got their first try of the game before full-back Matt Roberts ran in try number three for the hosts following a fine pass from fly-half Adam Watts to send Minety in at the break with a 19-11 lead.

Despite a strong start to the second half for the hosts, it was Combe Down who were first to strike after the break when some sloppy defending allowed their winger in before a penalty saw the visitors draw level.

Combe and Minety then traded a penalty each as they tied 22-22 going into the final four minutes.

With the last play of the game, Minety were penalised at the breakdown to give Combe a shot at goal, which they duly converted for the win.

Elsewhere, Pewsey Vale were unable to become the first team to lower the colours of leaders Bradford on Avon as they suffered a 47-10 defeat.

In the first half, Bradford scored four tries, three in the first 15 minutes, converting one, and adding a penalty on the half-hour.

Pewsey fly-half James Haynes slotted a single penalty in reply.

There was more of the same to come after the break as the visitors ran in three tries, one converted, in the opening 12 minutes and their final score came in the 70th minute.

Pewsey continued to battle and got some reward when Nick Damper crashed over and Haynes added the extras.

Finally, injury-hit Melksham suffered a 31-3 defeat to Avonvale.