MINEHEAD Barbarians paid the penalty for a slow start as they went down 22-18 away to Chew Valley 2nd XV in Counties Two Somerset.

It was their second defeat of the season and they slip back to fifth in the table, 11 points behind the leaders Clevedon who are 100 per cent following their 44-14 away win over Rebels Rugby.

Minehead conceded two tries early on as Chew Valley displayed a confidence which contradicted their low league position. The first score came from a 5 metre scrum where Chew broke to the blind side, the wing was stopped but the home scrum-half jinked over. Chew scored again when they ran a “tap-penalty” close to the line, twice the Minehead defence stopped them, but finally the try came at the posts.

Points down and facing a very difficult situation, the Barbarians started to build back. Minehead started to hold ground in the home team’s half, and two penalties brought lineout drives. From the second from a Willes take, the ball came out to skipper Buckingham who was stopped a metre short, and Swann powered over for the converted try.

The strong home team defence in mid-field made it difficult for the Barbarians to get their usually free scoring backline into space, despite the efforts of Senior who constantly offered himself as an option to drive forward. As the game went on Minehead moved more to a tactical kicking game which was able to get them onto the front foot.

In the run up to the break the Barbarians had more of the play, but could not turn possession into points.

The second half saw Holligsworth and Lock join the match as Hurley and White picked up injuries. The team withstood some early pressure on their line, and the Minehead mid-field tackling improved allowing the team to gain the upper hand for a period. However, to their credit, Chew struck back, an incisive break from a centre set up a position where a big forward crashed over to increase their lead.

Now the Barbarians’ forwards roused themselves and carried hard at the home line. Ruddenklau, and Beaver were always looking for work, with Willes and Coleman also to the fore. Pressure meant that Chew started to concede penalties, with Milton adding two goals to his tally.

Minehead finally grasped a try opportunity when a penalty was kicked to the corner, Willes took the ball and a big drive ended in Beaver claiming the score.

It was good to see Waterman back on the field as Minehead tried to breakdown the stubborn home defence. Some smooth passing almost put Day over, but the Chew line held.

With the score line tight, Chew took the chance to kick a penalty to give them a four point margin with five minutes left.

Now Minehead threw everything forward, another driven lineout almost crossed, then tapped penalties were stopped inches short.

This was a hard fought game in the rain. The narrow loss will leave the Barbarians ruing their slow start, having finished so strongly.

Minehead have another away match in the league on Saturday, November 29, when they play Oldfield Old Boys. Other fixtures: Clevedon v St Bernadettes Old Boys, Hornets v Chew Valley, Imperial v Keynsham, Avon v Castle Cary, Burnham on Sea v Rebels Rugby.