FOLLOWING a fun warm up Touch Rugby match, between MBRFC Ladies and the visiting Baglan Bombers from South Wales, Minehead Barbarian 2nds put in a storming display to kick off their season at home.

They were at home to their Yeovil counterparts and chalked up a splendid 39-7 win over their visitors.

Minehead had a mix of very experienced players, and youngsters, many of whom were making senior debuts. In the forwards, Allerton, Henson and Webber were outstanding, while the power of Parsons, Baker and Gilmore meant that the visitors scrum was never comfortable.

Yeovil took an early lead with a well worked try when their right wing broke a couple of tackles and worked the ball back inside to allow the converted score.

Eastaugh, playing at 10 was a calm presence, and brought his centres (who were also debutants) into the game. Sondgen-Brown showed power in the tackles and co-centre Meagher was a real attacking threat. Allerton then scored a classic try. He broke from the base of the scrum and the chipped and caught his kick before crashing over!

The Barbarian attacking intent was shown when Eastaugh passed long to Meagher, and Sondgen-Brown looped to support and sent Wyburn sprinting forwards. Another back who impressed on debut was Lawrence Sandy, who showed real pace from full-back. The ball was being moved freely and when it came to Buck on the wing, his inside pass found Allerton who claimed his second. 

Minehead’s next score, was a super solo by Eastaugh. He looked open and then stepped inside to sprint past the defenders to take the try which he converted.

Leading 17-7 at the break, Minehead were thankful for their dominate pack, which pushed Yeovil back in the scrums, while Henson dominated the lineouts.

The Barbarians used their replacements, with Ed Francis and Tristan Sandy coming on and impressing. 

A fourth try came when from an attacking scrum Eastaugh grub-kicked through, gathered his own kick and fed Sondgen-Brown who raced over. One of the most popular scores came when a driving lineout maul was stopped short, and nothing could stop the Parsons dive for the line!

The final tries came when firstly Tristan Sandy caught a high cross-kick from Eastaugh to dot down, and then Wyburn was given space to race into the top corner. The third debutant to gain a senior try. 

James Eastaugh was chosen as the Barbarians Man of the Match.

In the only other match in the division, Martock gained a 73-12 away success against Tor IIs. This weekend’s fixtures in the division include: Bridgwater & Albion v Tor, Burnham on Sea v Yeovil, Martock v Weston super Mare.

Bryan Stevens