RUGBY: Wiveliscombe and Minehead Barbarians in Somerset Premier action

WIVELISCOMBE bounced back from the previous weekend's defeat and consolidated their position at the top of the table with a convincing victory over Bristol Harlequins on Saturday, writes Roger Bellamy.

Harlequins are struggling at the bottom of the Somerset Premier standings, and it is hard to believe they were playing several leagues up a few seasons ago.

Playing down the slope, Wivey were quickly into their stride and were soon 12-0 up, with tries from Richard Wike and Jake Sharland, George Rowe adding one conversion.

Harlequins had their moments playing up the slope and pressurised the home team in the top corner, but the Wivey defence kept the visitors at bay.

Sharland then scored his second trademark try, outpacing the visiting defence along the top touchline to make it 19-0.

Rowe had a good all-round game in defence and attack, and scored the fourth, bonus-point try, which he converted for a 26-0 lead.

Sharland crossed for his hat-trick try soon after, again outpacing the defence to run in behind the posts.

Rowe converted that try and then crossed for his second, after evading several defenders, for a 38-0 advantage.

Winger Wike showed good pace to score the home team's seventh try, which Rowe converted to make the half-time score 45-0.

The weather and pitch conditions began to deteriorate, and the game was ended with 15 minutes left to play.

Wivey had scored another three tries in the time played, as prop Will Ellis and replacement Luke Brown crossed for five-pointers, then No 8 John Ker crossed for the final try, Rowe adding his sixth conversion for a final score of 62-0.

Wiveliscombe's next game will be away to neighbours Wellington on Boxing Day.

Old Redcliffians 2nds (away) is their next league encounter, on January 5.

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Somerset Premier
Old Redcliffians 2nds 7, Minehead Barbarians 3

IN the worst weather conditions of the season, both teams struggled to produce quality rugby in the driving rain and strong, cold winds.

The home side were considerably stronger than earlier in the season, and initially put the Barbarians under pressure with some powerful driving mauls, which Minehead defended well.

Minehead had the rain at their backs in the first half, but the wind was so strong and the hands so cold that it was not easy to make any advantage of this.

The Barbarians missed out on what might have been a vital try when the backs pursued a kick ahead, Cam Gray caught the final defender and stripped him of the ball, then fell over the line to ground the ball.

Unfortunately, the referee was unsighted and did not award the score.

Minehead’s backs still tried to play the open game they prefer but the only points Minehead were able to gain were from a penalty by Pring.

The second half was similar to the first and Minehead battled valiantly, forcing their way up field on numerous occasions only to be sent back by wind-aided kicks.

The game swung to the home side when a period of otherwise well organised defence was broken by a home forward, who slipped a tackle to score under the posts, giving an easy conversion.

The efforts of all the Minehead forwards could not get them to the try line and the backs were trying to run the ball from deep near their own line without success.

The final whistle brought disappointment to Minehead, who look forward to the second half of the season knowing they have played some excellent rugby under the supervision of Mick Orton.

Heather Pring Man of the Match: Cameron Gray