A MUCH changed Minehead Barbarians team struggled against a heavy Imperial pack, on a sodden pitch in south Bristol, eventually going down 18-3.

Imperial were able to dominate the scrums against a lighter Minehead pack, and won a number of penalties which kept them on the front foot. A penalty was kicked from distance to give them the lead.

The dominant scrum lead to Imperial’s first try, a powerful drive forward disrupted the Barbarian defence, and the home team’s experienced scrum-half raced down the blind side to score.

Minehead may have struggled at scrum and maul, but the lineout was better, with Bullard and Willes taking good ball from Hollingsworth’s throw. Day standing in a scrum-half was totally committed and Gower returning from injury worked hard at full back. Defensively, Reeder and Buckingham worked tirelessly and tackled low. Twice the Barbarians managed to exert pressure and the home side were forced into goal line drop outs, but still they could not force themselves over the line. Minehead’s pressure resulted in a series of penalties but they chose to keep the ball in play to try to gain a try. Then ball was moved wide and found prop Martins on the wing and he burst away, but the final pass did not stick.

The second period again saw Minehead trying to break down the Bristolians defence, but the cold slippery ball defeated them several times. Gower did get his team onto the scoreboard with a penalty kick.

The Barbarians started to ring the changes, first debutant Ed Allen came on in the front row, and the young prop fitted in solidly and scrummaged well. Then later Floyd and Wyburn joined the game to add their energy.

Unfortunately, try as they might Minehead could not get over for the try which their efforts probably deserved. The final play of the match saw Imperial cross for a second try which ended the game.

There could be no doubt about the efforts put in by the Minehead players on a bitterly cold day, and the tackling was generally very good. However, some of the decision making might have been different on another day.

A big plus for Minehead was two more young players getting 1st team experience. Reuben Wyburn, and particularly Ed Allen did not look out of place and will benefit the club in future. Also Will Griffin worked hard in the second row. Sam Chinn was the Barbarians Man of the Match for his all-round efforts.

Elsewhere, leaders Midsomer Norton took another step towards the championship with a 85-10 away win over Bernadettes Old Boys to complete the season’s double over their rivals and to stay eight points clear of second-placed Clevedon - and they also have two matches in hand.