MINEHEAD Barbarians went down 31-23 away to Nailsea & Backwell in their opening match in Counties Two Somerset.
Nailsea kicked straight into touch and from the resulting scrum to Minehead they took play deep into the home side territory.
This was to be the pattern of play for the majority of the first half with Minehead controlling a lot of possession and the set piece but unfortunately the part they did not control was the scoreboard.
Attack after attack petered out either through great defence or from the lack of penetration and execution in the final phase. On 12 minutes Minehead skipper Jacob Gower struck the first points. Minehead continued to apply pressure throughout but errors were going to be costly.
Nailsea were making good progress with some strong carries. Attacking down the left flank Nailsea were awarded a penalty and opted to go for the lineout, Infringement by Minehead and Nailsea tied the score.
A missed kick to touch resulted in an open field attack Try Nailsea. Minehead Barbarians were putting some good phases of play together but unfortunately not troubling the score board. After a few more errors Minehead found themselves 24-9 down at the half time whistle.
Minehead piled on the pressure with their set piece really working well and as this was Bruce Bullard's first game at hooker even more noteworthy. Another scrum, a break by Will Hawker who fed Gower who crashed through some would be defenders to score under the posts 24-16.
A knock-on in the Barbarians 22m and from the scrum Nailsea scored their fourth try after some good inter play, 31-16.
Minehead rang the changes bringing on Aston Handley for Charlie Gunter playing only his second game at full back; they also bought on Will Lock for his first 1st XV game replacing another debutant in Morgan Watkins.
Minehead were awarded another penalty and opted for the lineout; quick ball to the backs which culminated in Sam Chinn scything through the defence to score his first of the season. Minehead pressed and pressed until the final whistle but could not add to the scoreboard and the game finished a well-earned win for the hosts but with Minehead showing some positive signs of development.
Lots of changes in personnel and positioning so all in all we are looking forward to great things from this team.
Minehead: Dave Swann, Bruce Bullard, Kyle Roberts, Morgan Watkins (debut), Chris Govier, Sam Huish (debut, George Buckingham (co captain), Ben Willes (Man of the Match), Will Hawker, Dylan Cherry, Sam Chinn, Jacob Gower (co capt.), Sam How (senior debut), James Day, Charlie Gunter, Ryan Dellow, Will Lock (debut), Aston Handley.
MO