MINETY picked up a priceless 17-7 victory at home to Chippenham II at the weekend as they bid to avoid relegation from Dorset & Wilts One North.

Three second-half tries secured four invaluable league points for the hosts, while simultaneously denying fellow strugglers Chippenham any reward for their efforts.

Minety held out until the 37th minute before Chippenham opened the scoring with a converted try from a forward move.

It took the home side just three minutes to even up the score in the second half, though.

Captain Andrew Hibbard spotted a gap and drove through the Chippenham line to crash over for his side’s first try, converted by Garin Garland.

Eight minutes later, Minety’s Tom McAllister put the home side ahead after bursting through the Chippenham defence to register his side’s second try.

Despite territorial advantage, Minety were unable to push home for a four-try win which would have garnered them an additional league point in a season where a number of teams are already scrapping to avoid the two relegation spots.

A wonderful chance went begging after a fluent backs’ move saw winger Dave Cooke unfortunately unable to hang on to a pass 40m out and with the Chippenham defence at sixes and sevens.

However, the win on the day was finally secured late on when full-back Duncan Simpson seized upon a chance to dive through for the last score of the game.

The victory lifts Minety into 10th place in the table, eight points clear of bottom club Bradford on Avon and three clear of Marlborough.

Elsewhere, Calne were unequivocally thumped 81-0 away at Royal Wootton Bassett II, while Sutton Benger fell to a 24-10 defeat at home to league leaders Avonvale.

In Dorset & Wilts Two North, Pewsey Vale remain third in the table heading into their Christmas break but lost ground on the top two sides after falling to an agonising 18-17 defeat away at Colerne.