Women's NC South West South 2
Minehead Barbarians Ladies 69, Chard Ladies 0

MINEHEAD'S Pink Ladies welcomed Chard to The Tom Stewart Field on Sunday for their first ever league meeting.

Both teams defended hard in the first 10 minutes of the game, with most of the play in the middle of the field.

Taylor Wetherall then ran through the defence to score a try from the halfway line, converted by Rhiannon Campbell-Farmer.

The Pink Ladies ran in another three tries in the next eight minutes, courtesy of Sael Chisholm-Massheder, Tania Govier and Georgie Fahey – all three superbly converted by Campbell-Farmer, leaving the score at 28-0.

On the 25th minute Lissie Preston-Sheasby went through the defence to score another long distance try which was unconverted.

The hosts then picked up another two tries in the next eight minutes, from Fahey and Wetherall, both again converted by Campbell-Farmer.

Minehead ended the half 47-0 up, but the second period saw Chard up their defence, and the Pink Ladies had to work extremely hard to break through the lines.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Hannah Pawson went over the line for her first ever try, and six minutes later Wetherall found the line again for her hat-trick, this time converting her own try to take the home side to 59-0.

In the last five minutes of the game Georgina Perkins outpaced the Chard defence to reach the line with an amazing run from an in-form forward!

Callie Mayne ran in the last try just before the whistle to take the Minehead try tally to 11 and to end the game at an impressive 69-0.

This was a great home win for the Pink Ladies, though the score did not reflect the hard work, determination and strong defending that the Chard Ladies bought to the game.

Minehead currently sit at the top of the table and are looking forward to travelling to Topsham on December 2, for their last league game before the Christmas break.

Minehead squad: Courtney Cole, Lisa Haller, Izzy Cotterill, Georgina Perkins, Abi Sweetland, Lucy Kidner, Callie Mayne, Taylor Wetherall, Claire Woods, Tania Govier, Rhiannon Campbell-Farmer, Georgie Fahey, Sael Chisholm-Massheder, Hannah Pawson, Lissie Preston-Sheasby, Coral Osman.

Player of the match: Tania Govier; forward of the match: Georgina Perkins; back of the match: Lissie Preston-Sheasby

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Somerset League Premier
Minehead Barbarians 31, Yatton 7

MINEHEAD consolidated their position in the top four of the league with a hard-fought win at home against Yatton on Saturday.

They attacked from the kick-off through Pring and Day, then forward support led to a penalty which Pring kicked for an early lead.

The visitors have traditionally been a side who move the ball around at pace, and they soon forced their way into the game, their openside flanker causing particular problems, and the Barbarians were forced to defend sternly.

Minehead weathered the storm and managed to turn defence into attack, working their way back up field.

Another Pring penalty for an offside extended the lead.

The Barbarians pack had an edge over their opponents all afternoon, with Swann, Lewis, Parker, and Willes carrying strongly, and the whole pack working well in driving mauls.

All the hard driving work paid dividends when Pring sniped around a ruck, and when halted found Lewis who crashed over.

Pring’s conversion was well struck but found the upright.

Minehead soon extended their lead, a turnover ball was box kicked, and Gower collected and raced 40 metres to the line.

Just as the Barbarians might have relaxed, Yatton stormed back into the match.

They retained possession and used hard runners to force the home side back, eventually scoring a converted try by the posts.

Yatton finished the half strongly and, at the break, the Barbarians led 16-7.

The Barbarians were determined to build on their lead, and with the forwards providing plenty of ball the team were soon on the front foot again.

When the ball was moved up the slope Day broke away and, when he was tackled, flicked the ball outside, where Hole picked the ball off his toes and ran on to score.

From the restart, fly-half Lynch caught the ball and put a booming kick back out of his half to help his side.

Minehead’s players piled on the pressure, Richards and Swann again ploughing through defenders and winning a penalty.

Pring tapped quickly and fed Lewis, who barged through for his second try.

Minehead used their replacements, Bullard, Winter and Westcott coming on and adding more energy to the team as it pressed home its advantage.

Clarke was rewarded for a hard-working shift when he drove over in the corner for the game’s final try.

The Heather Pring Fitness Man of the Match was Ben Willes for his powerful play and leadership.