MINEHEAD Barbarians are still looking for their first win in the Somerset Premier League after going down 12-20 at home to St Bernadette’s Old Boys II on Saturday.

A combination of injuries and illness which ruled out key players Justin Harris and Richard Henson gave rise to a much-changed side which took a while to settle and never established any domination.

Wes Pooley made a welcome return at scrum half and David Farmer was a late call up at fly half, and both used their experience to steady things in the first quarter, with the side under pressure.

Minehead defended well and eventually settled down, gaining territory, and after 25 minutes set up a rolling maul which gave Ben Willes his second try of the season, well converted by Farmer.

Gaining in confidence, they began to use the backs, and well-timed passes from Pooley and Farmer created a two-man overlap but a handling error caused their best attacking opportunity to break down.

Bernadette’s hit back with a penalty, leaving the Barbarians 7-3 ahead at the break.

The second half was disappointing as a spectacle, with neither side looked convincing, but Bernadette’s took their chance early on with an unconverted try to go ahead 8-7.

With Minehead failing to establish any real rhythm, the visitors scored the best try of the match when, having set up half a dozen phases in midfield, they sent the ball wide to go over on the left and lead 13-7.

Strong running by No 8 Greg Richards forced the visitors to hold on and concede a penalty which drifted just wide, but then the Bernadette’s pack forced their way over to add a converted try.

Minehead finally rose to the challenge with both David Swann and Richards using their power and strength to keep hopes alive, with Tom Lamacraft always in support.

A burst from Richards, taken on by Swann, finally got them up to the line where Pooley found a gap to reduce the arrears to 20-12 in stoppage time.

Had the kick succeeded Minehead would have at least salvaged a losing bonus point, but it hit a post and slid tantalisingly wide.

Tom Lamacraft was player of the day having been prominent throughout both in attack and defence.

Minehead are at home again tomorrow (Saturday) against newly-promoted Hornets II.

They will again be lacking several first choice players, but if the pack can get on top early on and give the youngsters chance to settle, they can hopefully kick-start their season.

The match is sponsored by Henson and Son and a good crowd is anticipated.

Minehead Barbarians: K Lewis, J Langdon, J Parker, M Holman, D Farmer, W Pooley, D Swann, R Saunders, J Baker, B Willes, M Lynch, R Nunn, G Richards, T Lamacraft, replacements K Roberts J Barrett, F Bushell.