MINEHEAD Barbarians 2nd XV gained a 31-17 home win over Morganians on a lovely sunny day in Counties Four Somerset South.

The Minehead the pitch was in excellent condition as the club’s second team entertained Morganians from Bridgwater. The Barbarians team have been having a better season this year, and were able to consolidate their position at fourth in the league with a convincing win.

From the kick off Minehead were positive, and within two minutes a long pass found left wing Mark Lewis who brushed off his opponent and powered away past the full back to score by the posts, with Cherry converting.

Morganians struck back vigorously, a penalty kicked to the corner set up pressure, and from an ensuing ruck a visitor’s prop crashed over.

The Barbarians came storming back, scrum-half Ryan Ayres who is showing great potential, fed the ball from a scrum, and Jack Langdon took the ball on a scissors move. The centre burst clean through, and as the final defender closed, he slipped the ball to Henry Murrell who raced in to score the converted try.

Langdon grabbed his own score soon after. Strong approach work by Lewis and Rich Giles set up the attack, and when the ball went back down the slope Langdon powered through the tackles to cross the line.

From the restart, a superb break by Murrell took the Barbarians back into the attack, and the half ended with Minehead having a comfortable lead, partly due to the work of Minehead’s pack where Reeder, Griffin and Roberts showed up well.

The second half saw the Barbarians make changes with Wilcox, Allerton, and Hollingsworth coming on, and it was not long before the home side extended their lead. Wilcox drew the defence and slipped the ball to Langdon who burst through and raced to the try line.

Once again the visitors hit back, winning penalties which built pressure in Minehead’s 22, and two scores reduced the gap considerably.

However, the Barbarians had the final word. A long run up the slope by Senior was stopped short of the line, and when the ball was moved away Giles crossed to seal the game.

There were some fine performances from Reeder, and Langdon for the Babas, but the Man of the Match award went to Rich Giles.

Martock remain top of the table, with a 14-point lead over second-placed Wiveliscombe who have three crucial games in hand. Minehead, in fourth spot, are only one point behind third-placed Burnham.

Meanwhile, Minehead Barbarians’ first team game away to Rebels Rugby in Counties Two Somerset was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Avon beat Clevedon 25-24 to move above Minehead into second place on points difference.