MINEHEAD suffered a disappointing 20-12 defeat at home to Okehampton last Saturday in what is becoming a tough season.

But once again the team were only minutes from a notable victory young, well-organised side newly-promoted to the Western Counties West league.

The Barbarians welcomed back Avison into the back line and his influence lifted the side, but the team then lost another player to injury in the first minute of play when Rob Webber was forced off with a suspected broken finger.

That forced them into an early reshuffle with Langdon coming on.

The two sides were evenly matched in the early stages, with Cook making some probing kicks in the wet conditions and the experiment of playing Swann at No 8 looking good as he put in some battering runs.

The visitors also threatened, but with skipper Tom White given more freedom by his move to the openside flank, the attacks were contained. 

One problem which dogged the Barbarians throughout the match was the number of penalties awarded against them at the tackle, and too often this spoiled all the hard work previously done.

After a scoreless half hour, Okehampton claimed the game's first try which was converted with an excellent kick.

The Barbarians hut back immediately when Avison set up a breakaway and linked with White and Bishop as the side forced their way to the visitors' line.

From there, a break by Cook was supported by Henson, then Avison fed Bishop on the burst and he scored near the posts and Avison converted.

Turning around at 7-7, the second half started well for Minehead as Dave Webber won quality lineout ball and the ball was sent down the line, Bishop made ground and fed Jack Claydon who, making his debut on the wing, stepped inside and then out to cross for a memorable try.

That gave the home side a five-point lead and set up a pulsating second half.

As the game progressed, Okehampton took heart from the numerous penalties they were winning and were rewarded when skipper White was sent to the sin-bin for an offence at the tackle and they kicked the penalty to cut the gap to two points.

The Barbarians did well to only concede those three points in the time they were reduced to 14 men, but going in to the final five minutes a vital refereeing decision went against them.

The forwards broke away, led by Swann, but as he delivered a pass to his supporting player the referee judged this to have been a crossing offence, much to the surprise not only the home supporters but also many of the visitors

The resulting penalty was converted by the visitors' fly-half gave them a one-point lead.

Minehead's heads dropped a little and they were caught cold as Okehampton ran the ball from their own line and through a couple of poor tackles to score the try which sealed the game.

Minehead's experiment with Swann changing position is worth another try and Avison's return was a big positive, while they will hope that Rob Webber makes a speedy recovery.

But they need to look at the number of penalties being conceded, as they hurt when opponents have effective goal kickers.