MINETY 2nd recorded a timely win on the road against Bath Saracens on Saturday in their latest Dorset & Wilts Division Three contest.

A solid defensive performance in the first half guided Minety to an eventual 40-14 win, ensuring they leapfrogged struggling Supermarine 2nd in the league table.

With the first-team fixture conceded by Pewsey Vale, Andy Grayson took the opportunity to assess the credentials of his emerging talent in the second XV.

While Minety ended the first half with a commanding lead, it did take them 27 minutes to open the scoring as a rugged Bath defence denied Minety on more than one occasion.

The deadlock was eventually broke 13 minute before half time when a series of rucks near the Saracens line ended with Mark Glew slicing through the defence to touch down.

James Nickson’s long-range conversion was successful.

It took just four minutes for Minety to double their lead as Nickson picked up the ball from a scrum before side-stepping the home side’s full back and touching down beneath the posts.

His conversion sailed through the uprights as Minety stretched their lead.

Glew registered his second try before half-time as Minety ended the opening 40 with a comfortable 19-point lead.

Coach Grayson made several changes at half-time to experiment with his side’s formation, and the changes appeared to work as Minety wrapped up the four-try bonus point eight minutes into the second half.

Bram Coleman’s pass sent Garin Garland in for a try near the posts as Coleman’s conversion made it 26-0.

Despite trailing by a considerable amount, Bath continued to play openly and were rewarded on 63 minutes when they touched down for their first try of the game.

Minety hit back with some forceful running from the powerful Gareth Thomas, but it was the home side that scored next with a fine try involving six players before the scrum half touched down beneath the posts.

The successful conversion brought the scores back to 26-14.

All chances of an unlikely comeback were halted two minutes later though when centre Del Murray picked his way through the home defence to score under the posts.

The sixth Minety try came in the 77th minute when the impressive Kingston broke through to touch down, Coleman converting to end the match 40-14 in Minety’s favour.

Minety’s win lifts them into seventh place in the league with one fixture remaining of the season against champions Corsham.