MINEHEAD Barbarians were desperate to get back on the winning track, and give something for their supporters to cheer. While the squad’s injury situation remains serious, all the players who stepped up gave their all and saw the team to a 21-5 victory against St Bernadettes in Counties Two Somerset, writes Bryan Stevens.

This week saw Beaver start at scrum-half, and he worked hard despite a lack of experience in that position. Cherry continued to improve at 10, and kicked with confidence.

The first half was dominated by the visitors territorially, they used heavy running forwards and off-loaded in the tackle well, this kept Minehead pinned in their own half. Despite dominating possession and territory the visitors did not score.

This was largely due to the committed defence of the Barbarians. Willes, Cox, Hollingsworth, and Day all won vital turnovers. When the Bristol side came close to the Barbarian line the home side’s committed defence kept them out.

When penalties were won by Minehead, Cherry drove the team forward with long kicks to touch.

The half ended with Beaver getting the ball away from a scrum close to the home line. Chinn powered forward breaking away past half-way, Day up in support raced to finish a superb try, Cherry converting to give the home side a lead at the break.

The Barbarians responded with some strong carries from Cox, White and Dunton, taking them close to the try-line, but were unable to cross the line.

St Bernadettes continued with their strong running style and were rewarded when they crossed in the bottom corner.

Again the game swung back to Minehead, the ball went loose in their 22, but Day hacked forward and hacked on again past the full-back, Aston Handley grabbing his first senior try, with a fine conversion by Cherry.

Then the visitors scored a second. They counter-attacked from a clearance kick, and worked a try into the corner.

Swann came on into the front row to help stabilise the pack and Beaver gained a steadier platform.

For the first time the visitors took a lead when a low kick caused a knock on, from the scrum the ball was moved into space up the hill for a try.

With time running out, the Barbarians were a point behind, but this team does not give up.

From the restart Reeder caught the ball and fed Willes on the burst to take the team forward.

The final decisive score came from a dominant scrum in the Minehead half, Beaver spread the ball quickly, and Chinn saw a gap and accelerated through, he raced away for the winning converted try.

James Day and Ben Willes both had fine games, but the outstanding Sam Chinn, was Man of the Match.