MINEHEAD Barbarians’ won a thriller by just one point for the second week running at Ellicombe Lane when they beat Gordano 20-19 in the Somerset Premier.

In the first half the opposing packs appeared to be equally matched but Gordano had key players in midfield and it looked as though the form book would prove to be right as they ran in two converted tries for a 14-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Both were scored by their strong-running inside centre who showed that given a yard in which to move he had the power and ability to find the gap and the pace to burst through from the 22 and go in under the posts.

In every game there are moments that prove to be vital in the final analysis.

Gordano were building another dangerous three-quarter move but this time tried to get the ball wide where Minehead wing Poase Faletoilalo seized upon a poorly-timed pass to make the interception on half way and go all the way under the posts.

Rob Gurnett converted to reduce the deficit to 14-7 and give Minehead the confidence to get right back into the game.

Wes Pooley had an enormous influence throughout, constantly directing things from the back and organising the defence to bring the best out of Ross Bradley and Dom Westcott, but it was his attacking skill that came to the fore as he finished off a jinking break by putting in a perfectly judged grubber, seized upon by right wing Jake Pound who went over for an unconverted try in the corner. Minehead, buoyed by the half time words of skipper James Baker, now had the confidence to compete and every man rose to the challenge, none more so than prop Richard Parsons who stood out in the mauls and Richard Henson who seemed to be everywhere in both attack and defence putting his body on the line as did the whole team as this thrilling encounter developed.

Desperate defence saw Tom Bishop in the bin for killing the ball but Gordano could not take advantage Minehead were forced to re-organise.

Ryan Nunn moved to scrum half and took control as Ben Willes and Greg Richards began to get on top in the lineout and Dave Harris disrupted the Gordano back row.

This period was to prove vital as not only were Gordano not permitted to take advantage of the numerical superiority but also began to wilt as their front row were put under pressure by Parsons, Tom Claydon and Kyle Roberts, operating in rotation.

Gordano then again showed their attacking quality, their inside centre found space but this time passed inside to his No10 to score near the posts for a 19-12 lead.

The conversion attempt hit a post and bounced back, a costly miss which had an important bearing on the final result,.

The Minehead pack were now really on a roll and one maul will live in the memory and go down in local legend.

The pack set it up about 20 metres out and having driven on half way to the line all the backs piled in. Gordano also brought in their backs and as Minehead drove on.

Only the visitors’ full-back was not involved in the maul which they were forced to collapse conceding a penalty and earning them a yellow card.

A strange decision when a penalty try seemed the logical outcome but having opted for the scrum a huge Minehead shove took them up to the line where that man Henson got the touch down.

Gurnett’s long range effort just failed so with 15 minutes to go Minehead still trailed 19-17 with everything to play for and in the last five minutes Gordano conceded a penalty 22 metres out and about 15 metres in from touch.

Minehead initially shaped to kick for the corner and go for the try but probably in response to impassioned shouts of ‘posts’’ from the sidelines, skipper Baker kept a cool head and called up ‘The Ice Man’ Gurnett who made no mistake with the kick to put his side 20-19 in front.

Gordano came back strongly but were left to rue just how costly their missed conversion had been.

Not only did they lose their 100% record by a single point, but had it gone over Minehead would not have had had the option of the kick at goal to win and would have been forced to go for the try.

In such a team performance every man qualifies for the man of the match award including the replacements, but it was awarded to Richard Henson for his vital contribution throughout.

Gurnett has only played ten games of senior rugby, but with Wes Pooley to guide him, his growing confidence shows he has a vital role to play in this resurgent Minehead side.

Minehead: W Pooley, P Faletoilalo, S Ford (D Wesccott), R Bradley, J Pound, R Gurnett, T Bishop, R Parsons, J Baker (Capt), K Roberts, B Willes, G Richards, R Nunn, R Henson, D Harris, L Parker and T Claydon.