MINEHEAD Barbarians’ Pink Ladies lined up for their first home match of the season with a large crowd supporting them and they didn’t disappoint despite losing 31-5 to Withycombe.
From the start they used quick hands to get the ball wide, but a penalty from the resulting ruck let Withycombe kick the ball to touch for a lineout.
The ball came off the top to release Withycombe’s backs, and a strong run from their inside centre took them close to the line but good defence and a knock-on gave the pink ladies a break.
Withycombe won the ball and a good move off the back saw their scrum half go over for the first points of the match, with the try successfully converted.
Minehead stayed positive and from the restart good line speed earned them a penalty, and a quick tap from skipper Dionne Jones took Minehead deep into Withycombe’s 22.
After some good play from both sides, Minehead let their backs have a run with winger Lucy Hastings being tackled into touch.
Good defence from both sides in the midfield led to a stalemate before a strong scrum from Minehead gave the backs the chance to attack the blindside and good hands released winger Holly Arkell, only for her to be called back for a forward pass.
Withycombe kicked the ball through and their inside centre crashed over for the second try, again converted.
The second half started with early pressure from Withycombe but Minehead hoeld firm with good tackling.
A midfield scrum for Withycombe spread the ball to their inside centre who broke two tackles on her way to the Minehead line, but a great cover tackle from Lucy Hastings saved a certain try.
Withycombe kept the pressure on and after some good lead-up play they scored another converted try .
Withycombe didn’t have to wait long for their next try as they took advantage of a scrambled Minehead defensive line and went over.
An undeterred Minehead picked themselves up and put the pressure on, with good link-up play between forwards and backs making good ground.
A penalty against Minehead let Withycombe relieve the pressure by kicking the ball down into Minehead’s 22, but again Minehead’s tireless defence kept them out for a long period before they eventually crossed again.
Minehead never let their heads drop and played some of their best rugby in the last ten minutes, with a series of phases in the Withycombe half.
A break on the top touch line saw them held up over the try line, and from the resulting five metre scrum and a couple of strong forward drives from Annabel Cottrell and Karina Collins, Dionne Jones was driven over the line for a consolation try. The conversion was missed.
The Pink Ladies play again tomorrow (Saturday) at home to Cheddar, kick-off 2pm.