INJURY-HIT Minehead Barbarians will be chasing only their fifth victory of the season when they play at home to struggling Tor in Counties Two Somerset tomorrow (Sat, 2.15p.m.), writes Barry Knott.
However, Minehead have not played since they lost 36-26 at home to Hornets 2nd XV a month ago. Minehead still have long-term injuries to key players, including former Exeter Chiefs and Weston super Mare front row Dave Swann, and Ryan Lewis who both have knee injuries.
“We won’t be taking Tor for granted,” said Minehead’s head coach Jack Claydon who is himself nursing a back injury. “They gave us a good game when we played up there and they are quite capable of putting points on the board.
“We must make sure we play our game and not worry about them. It’s been a very difficult season so far.”
Minehead are currently ninth in the table and would be one place higher had they not had five points deducted earlier in the season.
Meanwhile Claydon has not ruled out making a playing comeback before the end of the season. “That’s the aim - we will just have to wait and see,” he added. “At the moment I’m in light training and concentrating on coaching.”
Tor have only won one of their 12 matches this season and are currently holding up the table. They lost 44-5 to Minehead when the sides played each other earlier in the season. Tor’s only victory was against Weston 2nd XV.
The Counties Two Somerset table is headed by Old Redcliffians who have a two-point lead over second-placed Hornets - and also have a game in hand.
Minehead 2nd XV, struggling in Counties Four Somerset South, play away to Weston super Mare 3rd XV who are lying fifth, having won five of their eight matches. Minehead have won only once and are three points adrift at the bottom of the table.
Wiveliscombe, sixth in Counties One Western West, face one of their toughest games of the season when they play at home to Cullompton, who have a 100 per cent record after 13 matches. Wivey lost 37-19 away to the Devon side at the beginning of October.
Wiveliscombe 2nd XV will be looking to avenge a 24-19 home loss against Chard 2nd XV when the side plays away to the South Somerset outfit in Counties Three Somerset South.