MINEHEAD Barbarians made the long trip up to Stothert and Pitt looking for a much-needed win in the Somerset Premier League but went down 51-14.

With clear skies and a strong wind it was always going to be a fast game, and Minehead began playing up the hill, receiving and securing the kick before clearing their lines.

A strong Stothert lineout functioned well all game, securing clean ball which enabled them to put pressure on the Minehead defence.

Pulling the defence across the pitch with hard runners and accurate passing, Stothert ran up the phases to break through and score.

Minehead were put under the cosh immediately from the re-start, but Stothert’s direct running and ability to move the ball but were halted deep in the Minehead 22, where some few vital turnovers enabled them to clear their lines after some big hits.

However, after ten minutes of battling to and fro over the 22 the pressure paid off and the home side ran in another try.

Not disheartened, Minehead had a strong restart with some large tackles being put in, and they finally built a good set of phases having sorted out the lineout.

Stothert’s discipline dropped and Minehead were able to work up the pitch and have their first real go at the line.

After strong running, Minehead were metres from the line when the ball popped up from the ruck on Stothert’s side allowing them to hoof the ball down field.

With the pressure off, play evened out until Stothert put a number of phases together and pulled the Minehead defence again from one side to the other to score just before half time and lead 22-0.

Stothert then ran in two more tries at the start of the second half.

After this Minehead got their hands on the ball and had some good attacking spells, improving their set piece, and eventually Ryan Dellow went over for the try, converted by Dom Westcott.

After a poor dropped re-start, the home side ran in another try, but Minehead reacted strong, again putting in some big hits and hard running with the ball in hand.

A slick inside pop allowed a charging Lee Parker to run in on the last play and the try was well converted by Westcott.

Minehead now have three home games on the trot and will be hoping for some strong support as they seek some much needed wins.

Minehead: Ryan Dellow, Joe Barrett, Dave Swann, Lee Parker, Ben Willes, Greg Richards, Tom Lamacraft, Richard Henson, Josh Parker, Craig Sutherland, Charlie Payne, Dom Westcott, Ross Bradley, Matt Holman, Kyle Lewis, Alex Smith, Harry Chin, Richard Saines.