MINEHEAD Barbarians roared into the Christmas break with 12 tries in front of their home crowd, with versatile back Mu-een Fritz claiming five in a 72-12 home victory over Chew Valley 2nd XV.

Facing a gale force wind Minehead played intelligently in the first half, keeping the ball in hand, driving through mid-field and then moving the ball wide.

The home team worked their way upfield, then Lynch switched back down the hill, Handley almost made the line, but Huish was on hand to crash over. The Barbarians continued to press with Hollingsworth, Howe, and Willes carrying strongly. Then a grub kick by Lynch saw Fritz race away, gather the ball, and ground it to score.

Fritz quickly gained his second, when following a series of phases Gower looped around Swann, and the full-back put Fritz free to race away.

A penalty kick gave Chew an attacking position, but well organised Minehead defence kept them at bay. Then the Barbarians struck back! From a well-controlled scrum the ball came to Lynch; he just slipped the ball to Hole who burst through on a hard line, and raced on. As the defence closed, Hole slipped the ball to Day who scored.

A super turnover by Senior in his own 22 created a chance to attack. Space was found on the left, and Fritz left the opposition in his wake as he ran in from 60 metres. Gower was next on the score sheet as he burst along the bottom touchline, sold a dummy, and then cut inside to finish.

Flanker Buckingham used his pace to burst through from 30 metres out to extend the lead. The same player scored again only minutes later with the assistance of Lynch.

Next, a fine carry by Hollingsworth pulled in the defence, and when the ball moved wide Handley came from the opposite wing to give the final pass to Fritz.

The second half was rather more of a struggle for the home side, with Chew Valley having more possession and mounting multiple phases. However the Minehead defence was steadfast and calm, keeping their line intact for 20 minutes. To their great credit Chew Valley scored twice before the end. However, the Barbarians finished on a high. First Day scored after a powerful burst by Martins, then Hollingsworth finished a series of forwards drives, before Fritz raced away from a Gower tap-penalty in the Minehead 22 to complete the day.

While the Minehead backs scored most of the tries, the forward performance was one of the season’s best. The Barbarians showed that with all their players available they can be a match for any team in the league.

The superb finishing of Mu-een Fritz won him the Player of the Day award.