Minehead Barbarians 7 Avon 24

Minehead Barbarians entertained a strong Avon side in County Two Somerset on Saturday. Their ongoing injury issues required another changed midfield, with a welcome return after a long break for Jordan Hole who came in between Cherry and Beaver, writes BRYAN STEVENS.

The visitors imposed themselves on the game from the start, running hard and straight to challenge a reorganised defence, and it took some time for that defence to settle. When the Barbarians gained some ball, Hole took his chance and showed that he could still carry powerfully to get his team on the front foot.

Avon continued to dominate, and their efforts were rewarded when they attacked the Minehead midfield, the fly-half drawing the tackle and offloading to a centre who scored.

Minehead are nothing if not resilient, they fight hard for every yard, an example being Govier, who may be the senior player but never stops grafting for his teammates. The team has many regulars missing but still every player gives all they have.

Avon scored again in a very similar manner, targeting the home side’s much changed midfield. This time their fly half gained the score.

Minehead had to spend a lot of time defending their line, but some vital turnovers by Willes, Day, and Hollingsworth kept them in the game.

There was no doubt about the effort from the Barbarians pack, they drove hard time and again, Cox and White always looking for work and making hard yards. Cherry went for a long range penalty to get his team on the scoreboard, but his well-struck kick found the post and stayed out.

Just before the break, Avon scored once more, a number of forward drives broke through, and quick hands put their wing into the corner.

The second period was better for Minehead, with them bringing Winter on, and Hollingsworth moving to back row where he added mobility.

For much of the half the home side tackled with determination, and drove hard through the forwards. When Avon tried to break away the covering of Day and Chinn pinned them back. Eventually the visitors did gain their final try working their way over in the corner.

For the final quarter the Barbarians welcomed back Coleman for only his second appearance since returning to the game, and it was he who finished off Minehead’s try following more hard work from the pack, Cherry converting.

On a difficult day, the plusses for Minehead were seeing Hole and Coleman back, and the “never give up” attitude from the whole squad.

Ben Willes was Man of the Match, for his huge efforts all around the pitch.