BURNHAM ON SEA gained a 33-17 away win over Minehead Barbarians in Counties Two Somerset, piling up the points in the first half, writes Bryan Stevens. However, the home side’s display in the second half against the new champions brought cheers from the crowd, but they could not quite close the big lead that Burnham had built.

The visitors strong ball carrying forced the Barbarians onto the back foot, and the home scrum was under pressure. Minehead tackled hard and their commitment could never be doubted, but they found it difficult to stem the tide of Burnham’s powerful running.

The Barbarians were pinned near their line for long periods, but the calm head of Milton organised the defence and positive exit strategy. When Minehead did have some attacking ball Nunn was impressive in his willingness to make the hard yards through tackles.

The visitors gained their first score when from a lineout they drove hard through the centre and then switched back to the short side where they forced over. This started Burnham’s strongest period of the game, with the normally secure Barbarian scrum under real pressure. With Hollingsworth, Willis, and White unavailable, and Swann and Tom Claydon struggling with injury, it was a tough time for the home forwards.

Despite the pressure, Bullard and Buckingham won useful lineout ball, and Lynch kicked well to clear his line. A big ontribution came from Edwards whose ball carrying and tackling set an example to his teammates.

Minehead saw that they could not win a tight game, and tried to keep the play moving to find space. Chinn almost made it to the line and Burnham were relieved to hold out. Burnham’s defence held and they soon replied with a try, strong carries making ground to break through Minehead’s defence.

The visitors extended their lead from a dominant scrum where the ball went wide, Minehead stopped the winger but the supporting forward crashed over.

Trailing by 21 points at half-time, the Barbarians could have collapsed to a very heavy defeat, and Burnham scored first after the break to extend their lead. The Burnham No8 broke from the scrum to drive over and push the tally to 28.

However, the Barbarians team then raised their heads, fought and won the second half, if not the match!

Having been bested in the set piece, Milton and Buckingham led by example, running the ball at every opportunity, knowing that their outside backs were a challenge for any team.

Then reward for the home side, and cheer for the supporters. Claydon and Edwards carried hard, and the ball moved back up the slope and Lynch cut through to score. Now with spirits raised Minehead threw everything at the visitors. Chinn made ground along the lower side, then Edwards carried through the middle before Milton’s pass gave Gower a chance and he raced over in the corner. Lynch provided an excellent conversion.

The champions came back, and Burnham made the game safe with their final try, a very long pass giving their wing space to cross in the corner.

The Barbarians would not lie down and with the final play of the match created another score to show their skills. Lock and Coleman carried forward and then Chinn beat two defenders on his way to the line.

Luke Milton was the Barbarians’ Player of the Day.