MINEHEAD Barbarians celebrated their first home match with an 11 try performance as they stormed to a 71-24 victory over Wells before an enthusiastic supporters, writes Bryan Stevens.

Before the match there was a minute’s silence to remember two friends of the club, Richard Cook and Andrew “Harry” Bishop who passed away recently.

Newly promoted Wells were more competitive than the score suggests, and the visitors scored first. From a 5m lineout they drove forward forcing their way over for a converted try. It did not take Minehead long to strike back, as some strong forward carries battered at the visitors line; then wide passing sent Day into the corner.

Minehead scored again soon after; the forwards drove hard at the line winning a penalty, a quick tap drove to the line again, and when the ball was released Senior’s pass sent Gower over for him to convert.

Chinn came on when Parfitt suffered an injury, and he took Day’s place at wing, with Day moving to scrum-half.

Next came a super score. Swann turned over Wells attacking ball, and the team ran from their own line. Slick passing gave How room and he sold a dummy to race through the gap, drawing the last defender, sending Fritz racing away to score. Gower converted.

Then Gower grabbed his second. The backs counter-attacked, with Lynch kicking wide, Fritz collected and stormed away, but was pulled down short;, Gower in support darted over and converted.

Fiercely competitive, Wells came back hard, carrying powerfully to set up a chance for their left wing to score a converted try.

The home side came storming back. A scrum ball taken against the head, allowed them to mount a series of forward drives, and eventually Griffin forced his way over the line with Gower adding the extras. Next a defensive clearance from Wells was run back by Lynch, Gower chipped ahead, and Ruddenklau claimed the score. The half ended with disciplined defence to keep the visitors at bay.

The first score of the second half saw Gower cleverly flick the ball away to Fritz as he was tackled, allowing the winger to race home. Only minutes later Chinn took his chance on the bottom touchline, when a strong carry by Senior, was followed by sharp passing to free the winger.

Then How claimed a very well deserved score. Lynch timed his pass, and How made an outside break before cutting back to the posts. Josh Cronin then came on to make an impressive senior debut.

Wells showed real determination to come back in the later stages; a tap penalty allowing a long pass to put the right wing in to score. They then fought to try and take a losing point from the match.

However, Chinn would be next to score, sprinting along the touchline from half-way.

Wells to their credit were running everything, and it took great effort to keep them out. Then a tap taken by Day gave Lynch the space to run into the corner for the final Barbarian try; Gower converted from wide out. In the last minute Wells gained the try which their hard work deserved.

A big win, but with more to work on, as the team looks to the challenges to come. Jacob Gower ended with 26 points, but the Man of the Match went to the excellent Sam How.