‘The Lads in Pink’ returned home on Saturday with a wide grin on their faces having taken the ‘Battle of the Villages’ match win against Minety, the second away win of the current season, and the first win on Minety Playing Fields since covid. So very pleased with themselves.

Coach Rich Waddington said post-match “Great to finally get the win at their place after three seasons. Thought it was another good, solid game and a battle of contrasting styles ~ Minety with their tight forward dominated play, which they are very good at, and our maybe more dynamic wider attacking play. “

Last of the 3.00pm kick offs until the spring as we bid farewell to British Summer Time, it was a glorious sunny autumnal afternoon. And the touchline support was swelled by Minety’s VP Lunch. But it was Benger who got the scoreboard ticking over first. A turnover from the visitors created an attack down the left side, and with Ben Jones outside him backrower Mark Carter powered through to put Benger 5-0 up within 2 minutes.

But Minety created an attacking move of their own, but lost possession inside Benger’s 22, and had to give the visitors a scrum. However, the heavier home pack took charge and pushed Benger backwards and walked in a pack try, nicely converted and the lead swopped over to Minety 5-7 at 9 minutes.

Penalties going both ways as phases are stalled by infringements. Benger flyhalf Harry Taylor put in a good nudge penalty kick deep into Minety territory for a Benger lineout. A commanding lineout win and forwards drive, and playing prop this Saturday, Calum Harford breaks free and trundles over for the 5 points, with Harry adding the extras, its 12-7 and only 15 minutes gone. Exciting stuff.

The remainder of the half was nip and tuck between both sides, with plenty of penalties against both sides. Minety being marched back 10 metres for talking back three times on one occasion. Set pieces were split, scrums predominantly to the home side, regardless of whose put in, but Benger were in ascendancy with the line outs.

Benger’s attacks were promising but were let down by losing possession in the contact. Fierce tackling by the visitors stopped many of Minety’s attacks. And the half ended with no further score, 12-7 to Benger. Although two tries had been crossed off for Benger, one a double movement, the other held up, it might have been a different look on the scoreboard.

The second half continued where the first left off, solid forward attempts from Minety forwards, double man tackling from Benger on the heavier Minety front five. Penalties conceded by both sides. At 54 minutes Minety gave up a penalty in front of their posts, too far out for a forward’s ‘tap ‘n go’ so Harry calmly slots the three points to extend the lead to 15-7.

For ten minutes it’s more of the same, both sides are starting to feel the effort being exerted, and this time its Benger who concede a kickable penalty which Minety despatch to pull back to one score 15-10.

A few phases later and winger Ben Jones is just edged into touch, feet away from the Minety line. But another indiscretion and Benger awarded a penalty in front of the posts, for Harry to add another three points to his afternoon’s work, 72 minutes done Benger up 18-10.

Minety come back again, and Benger penalised a couple of times, to give the home side great field possession for a quick tap and go. But Benger not retired 10 metres, and the infringement earns the ‘Green & Purples’ a penalty try and visitors a yellow card for no 9, Rob Waddington. At 78 minutes, its 18-17 to the away side. A tense last few minutes as the game glides into injury time., and Minety on the attack.

But a well-judged interception from centre Ethan Oakley sends the Benger’s backs towards the Minety try line, Ethan is brought down, but his centre Ollie Waddington supporting carries on the attack and secures the third try under the post, and Harry adds two more to his kicking total to push the score out to 25-17, two scores needed by Minety.

Benger get the restart instead of Minety, another penalty. The win in sight. But another twist as Benger back rower Billy Slade is yellow carded. But the time has slipped away, the referee blows the final whistle, and it’s a win to Sutton Benger 25-17.

Rich Waddington, again, “We created several scoring opportunities but couldn’t quite convert, a testament to the Minety defence. I was very pleased with how the team reacted to the pressure, with the set piece and the attacking flair were big positives. They’ll be a lot of sore bodies after that”.

Benger’s Man of the Match was winger Ben Jones for a formidable afternoon’s performance in attack and defence.

Elsewhere the results were as follows, Devizes IIs recorded their third consecutive win at home this time against Colerne 29-22, SCOBs were beaten at home by Pewsey Vale 40-15, and Marlborough IIs gained a HWO as Fairford were unable to fulfil the fixture.

So Benger sit second with 20 points 4 wins out of 5 and +69 points difference, Pewsey Vale also on 20 points with the same 4 out of 5 wins, but a marginally less points difference of +62. Both chasing league leaders Marlborough IIs with their 30 points from 5 wins out of 5 on the pitch, plus the extra HWO.

And with a free Saturday this coming weekend, Sutton Benger return to action on the 9th November against current league leaders Marlborough IIs at their place.

But this weekend thanks to Minety RFC for their hospitality and game ~ see you at ours in 2025