WITH Minehead Rugby Club’s lst XV fixture postponed because of the bad weather, most of the players gathered to support the 2nd XV as they took on Morganians in Counties Four Somerset South, writes Bryan Stevens .

The game ended in a fine 38-5 victory for the Seconds who had been beaten heavily by the Bridgwater outfit earlier this season.

It was their sixth win in ten matches and leaves them in fifth spot, but with games in hand on all the teams above them.

The Minehead team repaid their support as they scored six tries, conceding only one. Through the first half the two opposing packs balanced each other out, with strong ball-carries being met with determined defence. However the difference came in the loose and open play, where the Barbarians posed a much greater threat.

Ben Lock started the scoring after Lynch slipped him a short pass, and he burst away to score under the posts. Soon after, a fine turnover by Winter gave Lynch space for a clean break, the supporting Lock almost made it to line, but he popped the ball out of a tackle for Holman to score.

One of the keys to the Barbarians success was that their half-backs worked well together. Lynch, an experience pivot at 10 returning from injury, was well aided by Kimura at scrum-half who not only passed well, but made some darting breaks.

A breakout by the visitors saw their wing threaten the home line, but a fine tackle from Cherry stopped the attack. Lock scored a second try as he hacked on a loose ball, Lewis and Lynch both came close, but it was Lock who grabbed the touchdown.

One of the outstanding players for Minehead in the first half was Will Lock who has improved greatly in recent weeks. He carried well, tackled and supported his colleagues. Reeson was also notable in his strong ball carrying.

Next came a very well-constructed score for the Barbarians. The back row broke from a scrum found Lynch who put Allerton through a gap. The ball was recycled and came up the slope to Reeder who cut through to score.

Morganians have had a good season, and it was no shock that the scored early in the second half. A sharp break down the short side from a ruck saw a good pass put the wing over in the corner.

However, the second half then saw Minehead use their bench to good effect. Reihana came onto the flank and impressed, while Murrell showed some quality with strong running.

It was not long before the Barbarians were back on the attack, and they constructed a fine score. Allerton burst through midfield, Reihana was in support, the ball moved up the slope where Lynch and Cherry gave Lewis a chance and he finished it well.

It was Reihana who crossed for the final try. The ball moved wide from a well worked lineout found Reihana, and he ran around to the posts. Lynch kicked the goal to give him a fourth successful conversion. Minehead Barbarians Player of the Day was Will Lock.

Despite not playing, Minehead Barbarians lst XV remain third in Counties Two Somerset. They trail leaders Burnham on Sea by 14 points but have two crucial games in hand.