AFTER three weeks off, it was great for the Barbarians to get back onto the field. A very wet pitch, and driving rain made it a difficult for all players, but despite the weather there was a hard fought match in Counties Two Somerset for the supporters watching.

Minehead started well in heavy rain, but a solid Tor pack meant the home side struggled to build phases. Success came after ten minutes when Willes won a lineout and the ball was moved up the slope, Senior made ground, fed Gower, and his pass gave James Day room to slide into the corner and score. A second try came soon after. Matt Lynch won the ball, Milton broke into midfield, and offloaded to Edwards who powered towards the line. Another offload to Senior saw the centre score with the skipper converting.

As the rain continued, and the ball became more difficult to handle Minehead struggled to play the expansive style of game that they prefer. The Tor pack played to their plan of short forward drives, and use of the blind side, to good effect causing the Barbarians to work hard in defence. The Tor scrum was strong, but Minehead ruled the lineouts, and competed hard at the breakdown, sometimes to the disapproval of the referee! Penalties kicked to touch gave attacking positions to Tor, and forced stout defending by the home team. The team commitment to defence was shown when a powerful drive was stopped just short of the Minehead line, and it was winger Martell Payn who was over the ball winning a relieving penalty for his team.

Another powerful carry by Edwards swung the play back towards Barbarians, and half time came when Day was driven into touch on the attack.

At the break the message was keep strong in defence and the scoring chances will come! That defence was tested to the limit with sustained pressure in the home 22, but the tackles from Willes, Buckingham, and Cox kept them at bay.

Minehead won a penalty in midfield, taken quickly, the ball moved wide through Senior, to Cox who scored. The Barbarians now were hunting a bonus point fourth try. Breaks by Joel Lynch and Beaver opened up the tiring Tor defence. Eventually the try came, and it was tireless flanker Buckingham who finished off the team effort, with Lynch converting.

Now Minehead used their bench, with Walker, Winter, and Bishop bringing on extra energy. Bishop soon made a half break in midfield and gave a fine offload to Cox, Winter was busy in the loose play, and Walker gave the wide attack a lift. Minehead were constantly running the ball now, despite the conditions.

Minehead’s pressure told when a loose clearance from Tor was taken by Gower, who broke to the visitor’s line, where Edwards claimed a deserved try.

Man of the Match, could have gone to Willes, Milton or Lynch, but it went to Sean Beaver, who helped his jumpers win ball, and was a constant tackler in the defensive efforts.