ANOTHER much-changed Minehead Barbarians side gave a spirited performance as they went down 34-17 at Tor.

They came out firing and for the first 15 minutes were on level terms, competing well in all areas, but Tor then struck a purple patch and ran in three tries in seven minutes to establish a commanding lead.

Everything they tried paid off as their backs clicked and switched play from side to side, resulting in two tries on the right wing and another on the left as Minehead ran out of numbers in defence.

Dylan Evans, who started in the no 10 shirt, was forced off early by a leg injury,and much of the damage was done whilst Minehead regrouped.

Having steadied the ship, they then went further behind when the Tor forwards burst through in midfield to add another try, securing their bonus point just before half-time despite some determined defence to lead 27-0 at the break .

At this stage it looked as though a heavy defeat was on the cards, but a determined second half performance saw Minehead outscore their hosts by three tries to one in a big morale booster.

After a determined start ,their pack forced their way to Tor’s line in the corner and debutant Connor Walsh was on hand to round off the move for his first senior try .

Walsh, now at no 10, then made a break to put skipper Ryan Nunn through a gap in the centre and he surged from halfway to the 22 where he found full back Chris Jones coming up at pace on the outside to take the pass and round the defence to score under the posts. Walsh added the conversion.

Tor came back with their only try of the half, which was converted.

Lee Owen, had who had worked hard on the flank all afternoon, then picked a ball from broken play on halfway and showed surprising pace to power up to the 22, where Nunn was on hand to take the scoring pass for his side’s third try and restore a lot of pride in what has been a difficult season.

Minehead Barbarians: C Jones, C Walsh, W Wilcox, R Nunn, F Bushell, D Evans, J Parker, D Swann, J Barrett, R Farmer, S Howe, L Parker, B Willes, R Henson, L Owen.