Somerset One
Minehead Barbarians 1st XV 72, Wyvern 3

MINEHEAD Barbarians continued the success and consistency they found at the end of 2016 with a convincing win at home over Wyvern, making it 10 straight wins in a row for the 1st XV.

The home side were at full strength and asserted their dominance early in the game running with confidence and using the full width of the pitch to stretch the visitors’ defence.

Minehead’s pack were efficient in all areas, winning all their own ball at the lineout and scrums and taking their chances well to steal vital possession from Wyvern at key points in the game.

The opening 10 minutes were fairly even as Wyvern scrambled to keep Minehead at bay.

It wasn’t long after before the deadlock was broken with a try by the ever-experienced Dave Swan from a short pop off of Harris at scrum half just seven metres out - conversion missed.

Wyvern came back and earned themselves a penalty in front of the Minehead posts which they kicked.

That was the first and last chance they were offered by Minehead who racked up 50 points by half-time.

Richard Henson picked up a hat-trick of tries, one from a 70 metre dash by Harris, who popped the ball inside to Henson to race under the posts.

Lee Parker, Ryan Lewis, Tom Lamacraft and Kyle Lewis all added further tries before the half-time whistle.

Kyle Lewis converted five of the eight tries to bring up the half-century for Minehead.

The second half saw missed opportunities on too many occasions.

Wyvern attacked well with the ball in hand and, at times, worried the Minehead defence.

Minehead added a further four tries through the back line with Kyle Lewis picking up his second.

Wilcox added two and Ninnis picked up a try with Lewis adding one conversion.

Tomorrow the Barbarians, in third place, travel to top-of-the-table Bristol Barbarians for what will be the most important game of the season. 

It was a close affair when the two sides met in Somerset One at the start of the season and Minehead will be looking to put that narrow defeat right and come out victorious this time round.

In Somerset 2S, Minehead’s 2nd XV also face a tough test against leaders Morganians at home (ko 2pm)

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Bridgwater U13s 5, Minehead U13s 45

MINEHEAD Under-13s’ first game after a three-week break was away at Bridgwater, and they came away with an impressive victory.

Their first try followed a scrum on the 5m line; the ball was passed along the line, where Lawrence Sandy joined from full-back to score.

The second came from an excellent kick and chase, Oliver Betherton setting up Ben Summersgill to go over.

The forwards were now getting into their pick and go game, and got to within five metres, from where Summersgill got in to score again.

Nathaniel Coates was next over, after another pick and drive, for 20-0 at half time.

After the break Jude Murray intercepted a pass to run in unopposed, before a series of pick and drives brought Summersgill’s third try.

Bridgwater began kicking out of defence, and Minehead happily ran the ball back – speedy Sandy scored in the corner, then found Reece Hollingsworth for another.

Then, after Minehead had pulled the defence from one side to the other, Hollingsworth spotted a gap to score.

Bridgwater did have the last word, outflanking the Minehead defence for a last-minute consolation try.

Man of the Match: Jude Murray; Man of Steel: Luke Westcott.

Minehead: Oliver Bisset, Oliver Bretherton, Ethan Carr, Seb Chip, Nathaniel Coates, Josh Govier, Reece Hollingsworth, Jack Lewis, Jude Murray, Lawrence Sandy, Ben Summersgill, Isaac Sweetland, Luke Westcott, Jacob Whittaker, Nicholas Winzer.