Date Home Team Away Team Saturday, 03 September 2011 Taunton II 10 - 15 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 10 September 2011 Tor 8 - 23 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 17 September 2011 Minehead Barbarians 7 - 12 Chew Valley Click for Match Report Saturday, 01 October 2011 Minehead Barbarians 25 - 5 Midsomer Norton Saturday, 08 October 2011 Wells 34 - 5 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 15 October 2011 Minehead Barbarians 37 - 10 Stothert & Pitt Saturday, 22 October 2011 Gordano 30 - 12 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 29 October 2011 Minehead Barbarians 41 - 0 Imperial Click for Match Report Saturday, 12 November 2011 Winscombe 17 - 13 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 19 November 2011 Minehead Barbarians 8 - 8 Weston-s-Mare II Click for Match Report Saturday, 03 December 2011 Nailsea & Backwell 10 - 8 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 10 December 2011 Avon 44 -0 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 17 December 2011 Minehead Barbarians 24 - 10 Tor Click for Match Report Saturday, 07 January 2012 Chew Valley 13 - 6 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 21 January 2012 Midsomer Norton 25 - 15 Minehead Barbarians Click for Match Report Saturday, 28 January 2012 Minehead Barbarians Vs. Wells Saturday, 04 February 2012 Stothert & Pitt Vs. Minehead Barbarians Saturday, 18 February 2012 Minehead Barbarians Vs. Gordano Saturday, 03 March 2012 Imperial Vs. Minehead Barbarians Saturday, 10 March 2012 Minehead Barbarians Vs. Winscombe Saturday, 24 March 2012 Weston-s-Mare II Vs. Minehead Barbarians Saturday, 31 March 2012 Minehead Barbarians Vs. Nailsea & Backwell Saturday, 14 April 2012 Minehead Barbarians Vs. Avon Saturday, 21 April 2012 Minehead Barbarians Vs. Taunton II Tribute Somerset Premier - 1st XV Match Fixtures Tree Surgery, Stump Grinding, Landscaping,Garden Maintenance, Fencing Home News About Gallery Sponsors Downloads Sponsors Contact Links Function Rooms Caravaning Teams/Groups: 1st Team 2nd Team 3rd Team Colts Minis & Juniors Past Players and Supporters In a typically error strewn early season match both sides gave notice of their attacking intentions which were largely negated by handling errors and wrong options. Taunton took an early lead when a speculative kick  landed between the defending winger and full back  only to bounce back right into the path of their right winger who took his chance well and came round to score under the posts for a converted try .  Minehead came back strongly with Jonno Woolacott  Tom Claydon and Jack Waters all carrying strongly but failing to link effectively. Minehead brought matters back to 10-5 after 25 minutes. After a prolonged period of pressure, Tom Claydon was stopped on the charge 5 metres from the posts , the ensuing scrum was worked blind and cleverly switched back to the open side for debutant number 10 Jake Pound to score near the posts . The kick failed Taunton came back strongly and enjoyed their best period of the match leading up to half time when they increased their lead with a well struck penalty awarded for a late tackle. Minehead made two changes after the interval, Wes Pooley at outside half and Chris Webber replacing his brother Rob on the flank. Pooley showed his class straight away, his darting runs setting up a number of chances but the final passes all failed to go to hand. Tom Bishop at full back also made inroads from the back but although failing to link effectively with the support looked sharp and hungry. This aspect of Minehead's game will surely improve as their re-jigged back division gains in confidence. As the clock ticked away it began to look as if nothing was going to right for the visitors who despite growing in confidence found the home defence up to the task where their young full back was safe under the high ball and had pace on the counter attack. Pooley used his experience to keep Taunton on the back foot and Daniel Richardson ran strong determined lines in the centre setting up a number of opportunities for the pack to win vital possession.  Just when it seemed Taunton would hold out,   Woolacott used his physical presence, in the last minute of normal time, to break the first line of defence   managing to get the ball away for Jack Waters to level the scores with a try in the corner which was not converted. However the best was yet to come, a darting run from Pooley found Tom Claydon who managed to release winger Kyle Lewis whose exciting run was halted   a metre short on the left touchline where he just managed to flick the ball inside for late replacement Scott Langdon to go over for the winning score. Minehead will be pleased to have come through a difficult test against a Taunton side much improved from last season. They will need to improve the lineout which lacked accuracy and will have to instil the need for their powerful ball carriers to link up with their support before becoming isolated. Team T Bishop, D Westcott, J Waters, D Richardson, K Lewis, J Pound (W Pooley) M Cook, J Baker  J Woollacott  R Lewis R Cox, T Claydon  R Webber (C Webber )  R Henson Capt (S Langdon) T White. Match Report by Graham Lawrence 03/09/11 - Taunton II 10-15  Minehead Barbarians Minehead Barbarians notched up their second league victory with a 4 try bonus point win away at Tor in a much improved display .Strengthened  by the return of  lock Dave Webber there were  outstanding performances from his brother Rob on the flank who not only shone in the loose but provided  variation in the lineout  and Wes Pooley at stand off who controlled the game effectively and put in some vital tackles.   Minehead showed their attacking intentions right from the start and soon had 3 points on the board when Pooley chipped through and Tor were penalised for holding on , giving Pooley an easy penalty in front of the posts.   Tor were also intent on spreading the ball wide where their outside centre and right wing  always posed a threat and  after 20 minutes it was Minehead who were penalised for not rolling away and a well struck  Tor penalty leveled the scores.   At this stage either side looked capable of winning the game  but it was Minehead who broke the deadlock when just before half time ,  a quickly taken tapped penalty  found Sam Lewis in space and his clever  line of running  saw him cross  for a well worked unconverted try . Chris Webber almost added another but desperate defence  stopped him short after his strong 30 metre run from the base of the scrum took him deep into the home 22 to leave the half time lead at 8-3. Tor came out strongly after the re-start and could  have scored but midfield pressure caused what should  have been a scoring pass to be knocked on in the centre and the danger passed ,allowing Minehead to go on and extend their lead when  Pooley  worked a switch with left wing Dom Westcott coming inside at pace to run on strongly for the try.  The kick failed. Minehead were forced to make a major re-shuffle when their ever reliable scrum half Martin Cook  had to leave the field having taken a nasty knock on the knee and skipper for the day Tom Bishop  came up from full back to take over a number 9, with right wing Kyle Lewis moving  back where he looked at home under the high ball, kicked effectively and put in some vital tackles ,particularly down the left flank where Tor always looked at their most dangerous. Olly Thomas took over on the wing.  An exciting period of end to end play culminated in a rare misunderstanding in the Minehead defence which allowed the Tor number 10 to step inside his man on the edge of the 22 and score near the posts in classic half back style. The kick was missed but Tor were right back in it at 13-8. although their hopes were short lived.  Flanker Rob Webber, who seemed to be everywhere, found space on the left touch  making a long run  before handing on Jack Waters to cross for another unconverted try. Minehead began to take control after this and went on the gain the all important fourth try from a well rehearsed lineout move which saw hooker Jonno Woolacott power over in the corner, to complete the 23-8 scoreline.   Woolacott’s  throwing was much improved and  his inexperience as a hooker is more than compensated by his all action style  where his aggression and determination serve to inspire all around him. A spirited performance  with a much improved lineout and a growing belief all around which augers well for tomorrow’s home game against Chew Valley. Team , T Bishop (Capt)D Westcott, J Waters, D Richardson (S Ford), K Lewis, W Pooley M Cook, (O Thomas) R Lewis, J Woolacott J Baker , D Webber T Claydon ( R Cox)  S Lewis  C Webber R Webber 10/09/11 - Tor 8 - 23 Minehead Barbarians Kit Minehead Barbarians entertained Chew Valley last Saturday in a tight game where both teams had enjoyed two wins from two fixtures in the previous weeks. Playing down the slope and towards the clubhouse in the first half, the Barbarians took early control of the game with strong direct running from Ryan Lewis, James Baker and also Richard Henson who had returned to the squad following a weeks rest due to injury problems. For the first quarter it was all Minehead with the majority of possession. The Chew Valley defence though was well organised and disciplined with no penalties awarded within striking distance of the uprights. Minehead’s best chance came after 20 minutes from a set scrum just 10 metres from the opposition try line. Number 8 and last years colts captain Chris Webber gathered the ball t the base of the scrum and ran hard only to be tackled just short of the line. Scrum half Martin Cook span the ball out wide only for a rush Chew Valley defence to cause a knock on and a turnover which was subsequently kicked out to touch. The visitors then began to settle and for the final ten minutes of the first half they made some testing runs and found a free channel to run in the centres on two occasions just before the break. Excellent defence for the second week running from Robert Webber and a last ditch try saving tackle from winger Kyle Lewis kept them at bay and the scores level. However with just minutes left of the clock before halftime, Chew Valley did find the Barbarians try line with good support play from their forward pack, the ball was recycled quickly to be spread wide and allow Chew to score in the top left corner. The conversion was missed and all was still to play for. In the second half Minehead worked hard on their communication and throughout the 40 minute period looked threatening time and time again yet were hampered by last move mistakes and dropped passes. Chew Valley played intelligent rugby and worked with the referee very well all afternoon. At the breakdown Minehead struggled to recycle the ball with efficiency and on some occasions found themselves losing possession. Scrum half Martin Cook worked tirelessly throughout the game and put his body on the line to ensure Minehead retained possession in the opposition 22. With 30 minutes to go Minehead made two changes bringing on the experienced and influential David Webber at lock, and Scott Landgon into the centres. Langdon as always made a direct influence on the game and ran hard and straight to get Minehead over the advantages line. David Webber secured important ball at the lineout which gave the Minehead backs more chances to get on the score board. It wasn’t long before Minehead did score with a good lineout on the opposition 22, the ball was fed outside on a repetitive series to running forwards, sucking in the opposition defence, with Tom Claydon showing the power and determination to get over the try and make for an easy conversion for flyhalf Pooley. Score 7-5. With 20 minutes left on the clock Minehead had to slow the game down and get their hands on the ball but found this difficult as Chew Valley also knew that they had to do the same. Chew worked hard to get back at the home side, and nearly scored with a break away try from their young inside centre, only to be stopped inches short of the line with another last ditch tackle from Justin Harris and Chris Webber. They were however rewarded shortly after a long period of pressure with a try out wide on the bottom touch for the away side Flanker. The conversion was also successful and Minehead were running out of time. With just 7 minutes remaining Minehead tried in vain to score a second try and came close on two occasions but again found their ball handling skills in difficult weather conditions let them down. The final score being 7-12, Minehead now look forward to a weeks rest before travelling away for face Midsomer Norton. 17/09/11 - Minehead Barbarians 7 - 12 Chew Valley Minehead travelled to league leaders Wells with a number of  enforced changes from the side that defeated Midsomer Norton 22-5 at home in the heat of the previous Saturday. Wes Pooley was unavailable at 10 and so Martin Cook moved out from scrum half with the versatile Justin  Harris taking over the number 9 jersey.  Work commitments ruled out influential lock David Webber so  the previous weeks hooker Jonno Woollacott moved back to partner player coach Ross Cox  and give a 1st XV debut to young Kiwi Dylan Bligh. Wells are an ambitious side this season having engaged an experienced coach and attracted a couple of talented backs . However Minehead started well and were holding their own in the first 10 minutes before disaster struck twice in quick succession , losing both centres within the space of 5 minutes. Powerhouse Scott Langdon who has been in great form since his return from New Zealand dislocated and broke his jaw in two places  putting in a big hit on his strong running Somerset County opponent  and Stewart Ford broke his thumb soon after.   They were replaced by Olly Thomas and Matty Groves on the wings with  Rico Richardson and Tom Bishop forming the new centre pairing. With the advantage of wind and slope Wells  pressed hard and scored three first half tries  all wide out on the left wing where they had a big strong runner who crossed twice with their influential centre adding the third., none were converted but they did add a penalty ,awarded  for Minehead not rolling away ,to give them a half time lead of 21 -0. The Minehead pack was more than up to the task after the break, props Ryan Lewis and Kyle Roberts were gaining the ascendancy and hooker Bligh was prominent in the loose. Without a recognized lineout jumper  Minehead might well have struggled in this department but with Bligh throwing in well on their own ball and  Ross Cox using all his experience to disrupt the oppositions throws  they  emerged with great credit  and Wells were restricted to just two penalties until late on whilst Tom Bishop rounded off good work in midfield to cross out on the left wing.  Minehead have a wealth of good backrow forwards and on a day of disruption the defensive efforts of skipper Richard Henson combined with the experience of Tom White and the exhuberance of  Rob Webber proved vital in keeping Minehead in the game.The support  given to  Richardson at centre , who defended well  and carried strongly to  set up good ruck  ball was vital to the team effort and gave Wells plenty to think about. Kyle Lewis received a knock and had to make way for Woollacott to take over at prop with  Olly Claydon coming on for his 1st team debut. Wells rounded things off by converting a try under the posts having finally cracked the Minehead defence for a deserved 34-5 win. All in all things could have been a lot worse for Minehead who were able to go away with pride in their commitment and satisfaction in the display of Kyle Lewis at full back who improves each week, he is  safe under the high ball kicks well and his positional play improves as he grows in confidence Team K Lewis T Bishop S Ford(M Groves) S Langdon (O Thomas) D Richardson M Cook J Harris R Lewis D Bligh, K Roberts  (O Claydon)J Woollacott R Cox T White R Henson (Capt) R Webber. 08/10/11 - Wells 34 - 5 Minehead Barbarians Boosted by a good turnout from the Past Players Association who sponsored the match, Minehead put on a workmanlike performance running in 7 tries  without ever looking totally fluent and finding it hard to move the ball wide in the face of a determined defensive performance from Imperial. Acting  skipper Tom Bishop opened the scoring after 5 minutes taking on from broken play to cross under the posts for debutant fly half Josh Hurley to convert . Despite dominating possession they were held out for the next half hour until  after several phases in front of the posts  inside centre Rico Richardson threw a huge pass to the right finding lock Kyle Roberts coming round at pace to sprint home. The kick failed but Hurley made no mistake with his next conversion after a characteristic moment of vision from scrum half Justin Harris who following his two tries the previous week swooped on a loose ball at the base of the scrum and shot through the gap to sprint in 35 metres and  score under the posts and secure a 19-0 halftime lead Minehead always looked in control and with Cox on for Roberts ,  soon went further ahead after Richardson switched play up the slope finding Hurley who did well to release  Bishop who used his strength to break the defence to score wide out.  The power of  props James Baker and Ryan Lewis took its toll on the Imperial front row and a succession of injuries forced scrums to go uncontested .Last years Colts Captain Chris Webber was having an outstanding game at No.8 and scored the first of  his two spectacular tries picking up from the base of the scrum outside the visitors 22 to power through under the posts for a converted try  and bring up an unassailable 31 -0 lead Webber also featured prominently in the next score, following a huge forward drive, he and Bishop forced a penalty and from the catch and drive Ross Cox went over in the corner. Webber capped his display with another pick up from the scrum  from even further out to score wide on the left and round things of at 41-0. A good win  secured by moments of individual skill , built on loads of effort and sound defence but without really showing any signs of co-ordinated attacking potential. Team K Lewis,  R Bradley, T Bishop (Capt) D Richardson, M Bohun, J Hurley J Harris R Lewis D Blythe , J Baker . D Webber, K Roberts T White C Webber J Woollacott  Rep, R Cox, O Claydon, J Pound. 29/09/11 - Minehead Barbarians 41 - 0 Imperial 28 / 01 / 12 - Wells / Home  Meet    1.00pm at club  Squad From If unavailable please call Andrew on  07917  632234 Right from the start Winscombe looked sharp and decisive . They have a very experienced outside centre , and played to his strength where  his powerful runs and well timed distribution kept  Minehead on the back foot  preventing them from establishing any momentum.  Despite this they held on and took the lead against the run of play with a Josh Hurley penalty  after Ross Cox on the charge had taken play up to the 22. The lead was short lived , the danger man Winscombe centre exploited a gap which threw the Minehead defence into disarray  ,giving him a choice of support runners before releasing his centre partner to cross for a well worked try followed by an excellent conversion and a 7-3 lead. Despite the afternoon being bright and sunny  there was standing water over much of the pitch  and Minehead realised that their best chance of success  lay with the forwards and they were soon rewarded . Rob Webber charged through the midfield and from the breakdown the ball was spun quickly to Rico Richardson who held his line well to deliver a perfectly timed pass to number 8 Chris Webber coming in to make the extra man whose pace and strength saw him cross to restore the lead  but the conversion attempt failed. Winscombe continued to be more direct and incisive in midfield and were rewarded   when a Minehead hand in the ruck  led to a wellstruck penalty and a 10- 8 halftime lead.. Minehead made a tactical change  at the restart with Tom Claydon moving up  to tight head enabling Pete Deary to make a welcome return at lock and show his pace and power in the loose , but despite having established  the territorial advantage they allowed Winscombe to go further ahead . Once again their centre pairing caused the damage  releasing the right wing who would have scored but for a try saving tackle by skipper Tom Bishop.  Winscombe secured the vital loose ball and set up a ruck . Minehead were penalised for holding on and failed to organise their defence as Winscombe took a tapped penalty driven over in style for a try followed by a vital conversion Now trailing 17-8 Minehead at last took the play  to the hosts and began to look as though they would regain control . Dom Westcott had a good run down the left wing but the the final outcome was probably decided when for the third week in a row Scrum half Justin Harris wrong footed the back row but this time he had just a bit too much to do . Despite a thrilling 35 metre break he had no one in support and was cut  down by the cover defence and the chance was lost . Harris was injured in the tackle and replaced by Andy Ford who kept up the now constant   Minehead pressure exhorting the pack until prop  Ryan Lewis forced his way over. The kick failed leaving Minehead 5 minutes  to get the winning score but it was not to be. Winscombe deserved their win but must consider themselves fortunate not to have had  a single player yellow carded despite  being penalised a dozen times  for killing the ball in the vital  final phases. Team K Lewis,D Westcott, T Bishop, D Richardson, R Bradley, J Hurley, J Harris. R Lewis, D Blythe  Coleman T Claydon R Webber  C Webber O Claydon  Rep A Ford, P Deary O Claydon. 13/11/11 - Winscombe 17 Minehead Barbarians 13 Once again Minehead paid the price for a slow start and despite having the lions share of possession and territorial domination in the closing stages were unable to clinch what should have been  a vital home win.. A look at the current league table highlights the basic problem of failing to turn pressure into points.  Although still comfortably placed in mid table there are only two sides that have scored less points this season. Weston were an ageing but experienced outfit , they defended well and in the first half   took advantage of one sustained period of pressure to force their way over for an unconverted try and an important penalty just before half time. Minehead totally dominated the second half but need to work on ball retention in the tackle  to eliminate the frustration of seeing so much initial hard work go to waste and approaching the final quarter had only a solitary penalty to show for their efforts. Weston clung on , relying on kicking upfield to relieve the relentless pressure , giving Minehead's stand out player of the day, full back Kyle Lewis the opportunity to run the ball from deep., eventually linking with flanker Rob Webber who scored under the posts . Weston made an illegal charge at the conversion and this followed by the ball falling over at the following at the second attempt caused the unfortunate kicker  to hook the ball wide. This proved to be the final score but the game probably turned on the sort of tight decision that always seem to go against teams  that are not quite on form.  The best backs move of the day released Kyle Lewis on the top touch line from half way , going on to cross in the corner, only to find that he had been adjudged to have put a foot in touch by the narrowest of margins. Team K Lewis, D Westcott, T Bishop, D Richardson, R Bradley, J Hurley, M Cook, J Baker, D Blythe R Lewis, D Webber T Claydon. R Webber, C Webber. J Woolacott.  Rep J Harris, J Barrett , R Cox. 19/11/11 - Minehead Barbarians 8 - 8  Weston-s-Mare II Another much changed Minehead side and another narrow defeat despite a spirited performance. Minehead had the first half advantage of the pronounced slope but  only managed a single try by  Dylan Blythe from  a well executed front of lineout move . Ross Cox knocking  the ball  down to  the little Kiwi Hooker  who  scored in the corner. Matt Groves , deputising   for regular scrum half Martin Cook  battled away but the Nailsea back row were taking full advantage of the referees interpretation of the offside law and both he and his partner Justin Harris  were unable to get  the time and space to use the slope to full advantage .    Nailsea  reduced the deficit to 3-5 with an well struck long distance penalty awarded for a Minehead hand in the ruck  . Filled with confidence they  then took play upfield, putting together a number of phases of good  passing and support play  finally releasing their right winger who took his chance well to score in the corner  . An excellent conversion put them ahead 10-5 and despite ending the half with a man in the bin for persistent  infringements they held out for a crucial interval lead . Playing up the slope seemed to inspire the Minehead pack . Dave Edwards at number 8 , making a welcome return to the senior side was beginning to establish some momentum , linking well with Jake Barrett and Jonno Woolacott who was putting in some devastating trade mark hits.  Minehead now began to control play in the loose , no one working harder than props Ryan Lewis and Chris Weare. . Lewis was outstanding , seemingly relishing the task of driving Nailsea upfield and bringing out the best in Kyle Roberts who was always in support. A  penalty for a marginally late Woolacott  tackle put the pressure back on Minehead giving Nailsea  the opportunity to exploit the weakness of the Minehead lineout which did not function well all afternoon but they survived a difficult few minutes to come away and look the stronger side in the last quarter. Dom Wescott kicked a penalty following relentless Minehead pressure which forced Nailsea to kill the ball in front of the posts to pull back to 8-10 . The last few minutes were all Minehead.  Harris moved to scrum half with Westcott taking the number10 slot . Tom Ninnes came on to the wing and there was a big cheer for Scott Langdon making his return after having broken his jaw in two places in September. Nailsea were  defending desperately with Ross Cox putting in some telling breaks, but a lengthy injury stoppage broke the momentum and enabled them to cling on in failing light and claim the win . Team K Lewis. D Westcott. T Bishop (Capt) D Richardson, R Bradley , J Harris , M Groves , R Lewis, D Blythe, C Weare, R Cox,  K Roberts. J Barrett D Edwards J Woolacott . REP T Ninnes S Langdon  A.N Other . 03/12/11 - Nailsea and Backwell 10 Minehead Barbarians 8 Last Saturday Minehead travelled away to Avon who are pushing for promotion and the only side in the Somerset Premier league to remain unbeaten. With again more changes in the side, and playing up the slope in wet conditions, Minehead had to work hard and started the brighter of the two sides with an imposing defensive line that the home side were struggling to breakdown. The Minehead back row of the two Webber brothers Chris and Robert, and new Kiwi player Grant Taylor were the pick of the defence along with captain Tom Bishop in the centres. Avon showed composure and were a well drilled side and precise at the set play, operating smoothly at the lineout and giving their backs the best chance to gain territory. With no other options being presented to the home side, Avon soon resorted to going for goal at penalty opportunities which their fullback successfully doing so twice in the first 15 minutes.   Minehead struggled again with their set piece and at the lineout found it difficult to get clean ball. Avon on the other hand were beginning to find space out wide and soon scored after a series of good passes through the back line to release their winger and cut in field and run in under the posts. Just before the halftime mark Avon’s flyhalf who had a strong game and kicked well throughout, saw an opening to run in under the posts from 20 metres out and give the home side a cushion for the last 40 minutes. The second half saw more of the same, with Minehead trying valiantly to get some time on the ball in order to gain territory but unable to do so for a length of time. Quick pace from the Avon fullback and his supporting back line, gave Avon more opportunities to score with two coming from the back line out wide and two further tries coming from their captain and number eight from close quarters.  Minehead remain resilient to the end of the game and put in some thumping tackles, and on a number of occasions were felt hard done by the referee who had an interesting interpretation of the tackle area. This Saturday Minehead play Tor at home and will be keen to impress their loyal supporters and end the year with a win. 10/12/11 - Avon 44 - 0 Minehead Barbarians An excellent first half performance secured an important home win and the first double of the season over Tor. Minehead took an early lead , Tom Bishop going in under the posts for Dom Westcott to convert after Rob Webber had carried play deep into the Tor half where the ball was quickly re-cycled allowing Bishop to change his line of running and wrong foot the defence. Tor hit back with a penalty but a handling error as they attempted to run play out of defence allowed Minehead to hack the ball on for left wing Olly Dyer to gather and score wide out. The strong wind was causing a lot of handling errors and Minehead were able to capitalise on another Tor break down and move play up the slope before switching right, sending Scott Langdon on an unstoppable run to score under the posts. Such was the strength of the wind that the kick failed. Minehead were now playing with a level of confidence not seen in recent weeks as they realised that Olly Dyer had the pace to expose the Tor defence and create chances not seen of late. He might well have scored again but he was illegally pulled back whilst chasing his own chip through although he continued to cause a threat , exploiting the space created by well timed passing movements. Just before half time the vital fourth bonus point try came from just such a move . Dyer was stopped wide on the left but the Minehead pack were quick to the breakdown to set up several phases in front of the posts before releasing Bishop down the slope for his second try . Westcott converted and with a 24 – 3 interval lead and the prospect of the wind behind them in the second half it looked as though they would go on to a big win. However it was not to be as they seemed to forget the lessons learned in the first half of creating space out wide to exploit Dyer’s pace and forsaking the passing and changes of direction that had been so successful before the interval Frustratingly they failed to score again , despite having complete territorial domination setting up what seemed too often to be a phase too far. Scott Langdon did get over once but just failed to get the ball down as he was tackled on the line but too often there was a tendency to hang on and go for glory when a well timed pass to the ever present support would surely have paid dividends. They even gifted the visitors a consolation try in the final minutes . Tor got into their 22 for almost the first time, scoring scored a well converted try from a poorly defended short penalty to close things at 24- 10. Team. K Lewis. O Dyer, T Bishop (Capt) S Langdon ( J Waters) R Bradley D Westcott J Harris, R Lewis, D Edwards (D Blyth) T Claydon , D Webber R Cox ,R Webber (P Henson} , C Webber , G Taylor 17/12/11 - Minehead Barbarians 24 - 10 Tor Despite the low scoreline , this was a great game of rugby . Both sides were willing to attack but also had well organised defences and on the narrow pitch scoring opportunities were few and far between and in the end a single try decided the issue. With neither side able to create the gaps and with defence lines very flat, Chew opted to exploit the space behind the threes with a succession of well placed box kicks which brought about both their early scores. A sustained period of Minehead pressure was ended by a long clearance deep into their 22 but the kicker was adjudged to have been tackled late and Chew kicked an excellent penalty. Minehead continued to attack but although scrum half Justin Harris tried every variation , they were unable to make the vital break through and yet again it was a well placed Chew box kick which forced a handling error close to touch , deep in the Minehead 22.where from the 5 metre scrum Chew worked the ball across field and after half a dozen phases finally forced their way over under the posts for a converted try and a 10 -0 lead . They added a further penalty when Minehead were caught offside but Dom Westcott hit back with a penalty at the other end so the sides turned round with the score at 13-3. The second half was fast and furious as Minehead rose to the task launching wave after wave of attack in which Scott Langdon did his best to batter a way through and when the ball did go wide skipper Tom Bishop tried hard to create space but Chew defended magnificently and just when it seemed that the relentless Minehead pressure must tell they succeeded time and again in winning the vital turnover and putting in a big clearance. Hooker Dave Edwards had to leave the field with a head injury but his replacement Dylan Blyth showed his worth in a number of moves in which he played the link man and Dom Wescott gave his most assured performance yet at number 10 adding a further penalty to complete the scoring at 13-6. Leigh Parker made a welcome return on the blind side carrying well, Chris Webber covered miles in support and made one huge hit that will come into the reckoning for the tackle of the season. The game ended with Chew camped on the Minehead line but the defence held for the losing bonus point. A game lost but one in which the whole team could take a pride in their performance. Team, K Lewis, O Dyer, T Bishop (capt) S Langdon R .Bradley , R Lewis D Edwards (D Blyth) J Baker, R Cox (K Roberts) L Parker C Webber G Taylor . Rep J Hurley 07/01/12 - Chew Valley 13 - 6 Minehead Barbarians Having beaten Midsomer Norton at home earlier in the season, Minehead were looking to do the double but on this occasion came away second best. In cold and windy conditions, on a flat playing field Minehead played the first half with the wind behind their backs. For the first 10 minutes the home side played controlled rugby and clearly had a game plan in place and were determined to stick to it. In repspone, Minehead were aggressive in defence around the rucks and gave little room for the home side to make inroads. Tom White was welcomed back into the side and was prominent throughout the game, supported by David Edwards and Scott Langdon. The Cherry and Whites eventually  got their first chance of a score after a sustained period of pressure with a line out 5 metres from Minehead’s line. Rob Webber was able to disrupt the throw which allowed Langdon to gather and make a strong 30 metres break against the run of play. With good support from the rest of the pack and a second phase through the back line, winger Dominic Westcott beat his man on the outside to score and take the advantage. The conversion was missed. The home side continued to keep a level head and used their powerful centre to punch holes in the Minehead defence. After a gutsy defensive period, Minehead were unable to keep a clean sheet with Midsomer Norton’s second row just creeping over the line from close quarters. The conversion was missed and the scores were level. With just 10 minutes of play before the break Midsomer Norton scored a second try out wide and again, due to the windy conditions, the conversion was missed. Minehead regrouped and worked well around the rucks, picking and driving in the same way Midsomer Norton had done in the first half. Lee Parker, Grant Taylor and Robert Webber made good yards  and were creeping towards the try line. After a series of good phases Minehead were able to scramble over for a try in the corner through the young winger Oliver Dyer, who continues to impress. (Conversion missed ).With the scores level the home side changed gears and kept Minehead in their own 22 for long periods and were rewarded twice in quick succession within short range with a catch and drive from a 5 metre lineout and a well worked blind side move from a set scrum to put their winger in and take the score to 20- 10. Minehead ran two changes bringing on Cox for Langdon and Blythe for Claydon and Minehead pushed to get back into the game. Spreading the ball wide and quickly, Minehead used the width of the pitch well but were unable to capitalise and break a tackle to give themselves a better platform. Against the run of play Midsomer Norton kicked high and deep from their own 22, and the Minehead defence made the error of allowing the ball to bounce leaving their inside centre to collect and go in for the home side’s fifth try of the game. With time running out Minehead knew that any further score was unlikely but quick thinking from scrum half Harris, saw the home fullback flat in defence and a chip over the top of a ruck saw Harris gather, and feed winger Dyer for his second try of the game and end the game at 25-15. Overall Minehead played intelligent rugby and looked more dangerous in attack than they have done all season, but still need to work on those small errors which cost vital points and in this case the game. 21/01/12 - Midsomer Norton 25 - 15  Minehead Barbarians J.Harris C.Webber R.Webber R.Lewis D.Edwards D.Richardson J Hurley D.Westcott R.Bradley R.Cox K.Lewis T.Claydon G.Taylor S.Hayes D.Blyth T.Bishop O.Dyer T.White S.Langdon