MINEHEAD Barbarians achieved their first Somerset Premier Division double of the season and their first ever over old rivals Wiveliscombe with a 25-10 win on Saturday.

And they achieved it with a team averaging only 23 years of age, every one of whom had progressed through the club's junior system.

In a hard-fought encounter, it was the extra speed of the younger side which told against their heavier and more experienced opponents.

Considering the recent wet weather the Tom Stewart Field was in excellent condition and the largest crowd of the season was treated to an exciting afternoon, sponsored by solicitors Risdon Hosegood.

Minehead started strongly but Martin Neyens failed with this first penalty attempt after 12 minutes and despite end to end play it took half and hour to break the deadlock.

Luke Browne made the initial break at centre to miss out Stuart Ford and unleash Tom Bishop to score in the corner.

Within five minutes Minehead went further ahead following a strong run by right wing Ben White, who chipped through for Aaron Webster to follow up and gain the touch down for a 10-0 lead.

During this time Wivey had been down to 14 after one of their forwards had been sinbinned. Restored to full strength they finished the half camped on the Minehead line, where the young Barbarians back row of Jason Hurley, Jonno Woolacott and Lee Johnson-Smith held firm to prevent what could have been a crucial score at a key point of the match.

Full back Aaron Webster, gaining in confidence with every game, capped an outstanding display with a superb individual try. Having made the initial break along the top touch line he released Bishop and was on hand to take the final inside pass and score, with Neyens adding the extras to increase the lead to 17-0.

The Bristol Society referee then showed his fondness for the use of the yellow card for technical offences and for a while Minehead were down to 13 as first Luke Browne and then Martin Cook were penalised for killing the ball in defensive situations.

Wivey took full advantage, despite missing a crucial penalty in front of the posts, as they finally managed to create an overlap and send in right winger Martin Poundall for an unconverted try.

Neyens kicked a vital penalty which set Wivey the task of scoring three times if they were to win but they could only manage one further try from Sam Kennon, who cut back inside to elude the Minehead back row for the first time.

Tom Bishop sealed the win with a trade mark 50 yard spring to cross in the final move of the match.

The Barbarians still have some difficult league fixtures to come and neither they or Wivey can yet be totally confident of maintaining their premiership status, but with a two point advantage and the growing confidence of young locks Ed Knowler and Tom White, Minehead should be able to achieve the minimum four additional points they will undoubtedly need.

Much will depend on the front row remaining free of injury, especially skipper Geoff Cook whose leadership has been exceptional this season and whose strength and experience as the old man of the side is proving invaluable.

This with the remarkable progress made by young hooker Dick Tucker and the return of his brother Geoff at prop will send them into the New Year full of the confidence they will need.

Minehead Barbarians: A Webster, T Bishop, S Ford, L Browne, B White, M Neyens, M Cook, G Cook, D Tucker, G Tucker, E Knowler, T White, L Johnson-Smith, J Hurley, J Woolacott, replacements C Howells, C Jackson, P Knowler.

Wiveliscombe II 12

Minehead II 0

Minehead II started the New Year with a disappointing 12-0 defeat against close rivals Wivey.

They started with a solid pack and on paper one of the strongest sets of threequarters this season, with Ford, Brown and Littlefield all starting.

Captain Gay loss the toss and Wivey opted to play with the sun behind them for the first half, making it difficult for Minehead under any high ball.

However, Wivey didn't get the chance to capitalise on this advantage as for the whole of the first half Minehead were dominant in terms of possession and territory, the home side entering the visitors' half on only a couple of occasions.

Strong work by Gay and Thompson in the front row allowed some good ball to be won from the scrummage, but despite some strong running by M Long on the flank and N Adams in the centre, Minehead were unable to break the home side's line of defence.

Some last pass handling errors added to the frustration and Minehead were to finish the half scoreless.

Unfortunately, due to a Minehead mistake and then some poor tackling, Wivey broke through and scored a breakaway try to turn round 5-0 up.

Minehead knew they would have to work extremely hard to rectify their mistake as Wivey were obviously now in high spirits. Strong words by Gay told them what they had to do and they were eager to start the second half.

The kick off was marginally short of the ten metres required which gave Wivey a scrum on the halfway line. Minehead were caught sleeping and soft tackling again allowed Wivey to cross their line for a converted try.

After that Minehead never looked like scoring and although Wivey should have scored through a three-man overlap the centre cut back inside and good work by the fullback stopped a certain score.

Man of the match was M Symes for his delicate and tactical kicking from the wing.