MINEHEAD Barbarians stormed to an 88-28 home win over Keynsham Seconds in Counties Two Somerset, writes Bryan Stevens.

The home team, with Gower back in the side, scored after only two minutes. From a lineout, the ball was carried hard in midfield, before Milton and Gower, fed Day who raced over. Day added a second when Cudmore took a quick tap penalty, and the ball moved smoothly up the slope for Day to score.

The Barbarians ran the ball from all areas, which caused big problems for the visitors’ defence. A hard carry by Beaver, and then another break by Gower took the team to the line. White was stopped inches short, before Cudmore spotted a gap and dived over. When Keynsham kicked to clear their lines, Beaver collected, and then Day threw an excellent pass which found Fritz and the left wing sprinted in.

Now Keynsham came to life, using their heavy pack to turn an attacking lineout into a try by driving a maul. The weighty forwards were the visitors’ best weapon when in attack.

Minehead came again, with another fast transfer of the ball from right to left setting Fritz free again to run in.

Then Keynsham produced a well worked midfield play which opened a gap for the outside centre to burst through and score.

A dangerous tackle on Allerton won a penalty; from the ineout Lock stormed forward and from a ruck beside the posts Lynch send Parfitt over. Minehead rarely kicked, and any chance to “Tap and Run” was taken. From one tap, Bullard made ground before the backs worked Fritz free in his own half and he left defenders flailing as he burst away.

Keynsham had the last word of the half as some acute ruck clearance created a gap for their player to cross.

Leading at half time, the Barbarians were determined to continue with the free flowing style which was entertaining the big crowd.

The second period saw the visitors mount pressure on Minehead, but the experienced heads of Willes and Parsons helped the side focus. When Keynsham kicked, Fritz counter-attacked, linking with Milton, who found Willes powering forward. Then Parfitt saw a gap and raced through for his second try.

Fritz added another to his tally when Milton put Day through a gap, and his pass to Fritz was inch perfect bringing another score. The flying wing completed his memorable day by adding a further try soon after, Milton passing over a defender to Fritz. Next, from another tap-penalty Cudmore almost reached the line, but Parfitt was in support to finish off.

Day deservedly grabbed his third after some brilliant combination play. Lock again carried well, the ball was not allowed to die and it resulted in a skilful pass from Fritz freeing Day.

Henry Murrell came on for a senior debut and soon got involved. It wasn’t long till Day scored another. The Barbarians ran the ball wide and Day raced home. Then the home side were caught out by a visitor score as a forward dived around the ruck to touch down.

Minehead rounded off the game with a deserved try by White who was unstoppable from two yards out. Player of the Day: Ben Lock.

*This was the 100th senior game for Bruce Bullard, and a final match for Josh Ruddenklau who returns to New Zealand.