MINETY remain on just one win in Dorset & Wilts One North this season after falling to a 20-5 defeat at Melksham last weekend.

The visitors were forced to field a makeshift back-line, however, they stepped up to the challenge and looked the more likely to score in opening exchanges.

After 25 minutes, Minety took advantage of a Melksham yellow card to win a scrum against the head, allowing Andrew Hibbard to power over the tryline, although stand-in kicker Dave Cooke was fractionally short with the long-range conversation.

Melksham hit back immediately from the restart with a freak score. A Minety knock-on from the kick-off hit the head of a Melksham player and bounced behind the visiting defence, sitting up nicely for a score in the corner.

Another try from Melksham on the stroke of half-time gave them a 12-5 lead at the interval.

The second half was evenly contested once again but peppered by injuries as Minety lost both Ben Scott and Mark Glew.

On the hour mark, Melksham stretched their lead to 17-5 after breaking out from their own 22 to score in the corner before a further penalty pushed them further clear in the last minute of normal time.

Elsewhere, there was better news for Calne as they edged to a thrilling 20-19 success away at Bradford on Avon to claim their first victory of the seasoan.

Sutton Benger were in Friday night action away at Trowbridge 2nd and fell to a 28-7 defeat to surrender their 100 per cent start to the new campaign.

PEWSEY Vale put in a spirited performance in defeat in Dorset & Wilts Two North as they went down 34-29 at Swindon 2nd.

Vale’s record now stands at two wins from four this season.

South West One East clubs are the only local sides with league games this weekend as the schedules in Southern Counties South and Dorset & Wilts One North take a break for cup fixtures.