MINEHEAD Barbarians earned themselves credit despite losing 64-7 away to title favourites and leaders Midsomer Norton in Counties Two Somerset.

Midsomer Norton deserve all the congratulations that they will receive, as they romp towards winning the league by a large margin. They are a very skilful, and well drilled team, whose fitness showed for the full eighty minutes.

However, the Barbarians team showed the character that the Ellicombe faithful have come to expect, putting their bodies on the line for the black and white shirt. Minehead did well in the set piece, winning ball at lineout and scrums, but the home side excelled in closing down the Barbarians attacks and turning strong defence into counter attacks which stretched the Minehead cover.

After five minutes the game was delayed, as the referee was treated for a minor injury as he became a little too involved in the match!

Two early tries to the home side built their lead, the second one included some luck as a Norton kick was blocked, but then bounced to another teammate to score.

The Barbarians fought for every inch, despite often being on the back foot. Swann and Roberts put pressure on the home scrum, Martins and Day both won vital turn-overs, and Bullard and Buckingham tackled tirelessly. Norton scored twice more using their overlaps clinically.

Then finally the Minehead team gained some reward. Bullard took the lineout ball, and the pack drove forwards, stopped at the tryline, Hawker whipped the ball away and Willcox gave a short pass to Hole who powered over for Hawker to convert.

The second half followed a similar vein, with the home team dominating the play, but the Barbarians giving a totally committed effort in defence.

Midsomer Norton scored more tries, but they were also thwarted on many occasions by the tackles of Hollingsworth and How, while Buckingham and Day won vital turnover penalties. Minehead’s replacements came on, Allen gained more valuable experience in the front row, Reeder showed his value, tackling at grass level, and Payne worked hard on the wing.

The final whistle came with Minehead defending their line successfully for some minutes. This was a defeat, but no disgrace, and as coach Mick Orton said: “It shows the standard that our players need to aspire to!”

In their No8 and No12 the home side had a couple of the best players to face Minehead this season.

Kyle Roberts who returned to the team, gave an 80 minute hard working effort. Many of his teammates defended like demons, but the Barbarian Player of the Day was James Day, whose bravery in defence was outstanding.

*Victory enabled Midsomer Norton to stay 13 points clear at the top of the table - and they also have a game in hand over second-placed Clevedon who beat Avon, in third spot, 28-5 at home.

Wells conceded their game away to Rebels Rugby which leaves them three points adrift at the bottom of the table, with only two wins from 20 fixtures.

Minehead slipped back to fifth in the table after Hornets moved above them following a 54-0 home success against Chew Valley’s second team.

St Bernadettes Old Boys were involved in the closest match of the day, beating fellow strugglers Nailsea & Backwell 36=34 - but they are still in the relegation zone along with their rivals.