COUNTIES two Somerset League leaders Midsomer Norton maintained their dominance with a hard won 36-14 victory against Minehead Barbarians at Ellicombe. From beginning to end the Barbarians players gave their all, but the visitors’ power saw them home.

After an early period when both teams tried to build attacks, but the quality of both defences cancelled them out, finally the Barbarians took the lead. A Barbarians’ lineout 20 metres out was taken by Willes and the pack drove on, then 5 metres out Richards peeled off and forced his way over for Gower to convert.

Minehead won some good scrum and lineout ball, but struggled to build the extra phases which would give space for the backs. Some of Minehead’s best plays came from counter-attacks following kicks by the visitors, Martins, Gower, Chinn, and Day all ran the ball back with vigour.

The defensive tackling of Fritz, Willes, and particularly Hole shook Midsomer Norton, and they knew that the Barbarians would not make life easy. However, the visitors are top of the table for a reason, and they struck back twice before half time.

With Minehead defending hard, the visitors carried strongly through midfield and built pressure that eventually told. A small gap appeared at a ruck, and a forward burst through to score. Another try just before the break gave the visitors a lead, and a stiff task faced the home side.

The second period saw Midsomer Norton step up a gear, and their powerful carries gained a lot of ground, and put Minehead on the defensive. Another try by the visitors did not see the Barbarians heads drop, and they fought hard despite being on the back foot. Chinn was replaced by Senior, and Winter came in for Hollingsworth, and they both contributed to the fight. Determined though the home side were the visitors extended their lead.

Minehead were attacking with all the ball they gained, and eventually worked an overlap to give replacement wing Handley the chance to score, with Gower adding the extras.

Next a scything break by Fritz took him close to the try-line, and was only stopped by the visitors killing the ball. With time running out the Barbarians ran the ball furiously, but an interception saw the visitors race 70 metres for the final points.

The home crowd could not fault the efforts of their team, and it was great to see Hollingsworth, and White back in the side after a period out.

The outstanding efforts of Jordan Hole made him a worthy Man of the Match.

Also – a fine away win by the Barbarians 2ndXV at Weston-super-mare 12-40 lifts them up to 4th in the league.

BRYAN STEVENS