Minehead started this Somerset Premier match strongly and could have scored on a number of occasions but were over eager and committed too many handling errors before Jarrad Nyssen took a quick tap on the visitors 22 and switched the line of attack to give centre Andy Ford a clear run in under the posts.

Nyssen added the points, but Chew began to settle and squandered two simple penalty kicks for offside which would have brought them right back into it.

But it was Minehead skipper Justin Harris, playing at scrum half in place of the injured Martin Cook, who rounded off a sustained period of pressure with a great individual effort from an attacking scrum, to score under the posts for another converted try.

Minehead were caught offside in front of the posts and this time Chew made no mistake reducing the deficit to 14pts-3.

A probing Tom Bishop run was carried on by Sam Lewis up the slope to release debutant Kyle Lewis who took his chance well to score in the corner. Minehead were soon caught offside again, and ended the half 19pts-6 up.

Minehead were in top gear from the restart, winning a penalty to take them deep into the 22 where Scott Langdon took the ball on the burst at the tail of the lineout and proved unstoppable to ensure the bonus point.

Chew hit back with an opportunist effort, hacking on following a Minehead handling error to score a converted try and pull back to 24pts-13.

Worse was to follow as Minehead were reduced to 14 when the referee finally lost patience with the number of times they had been penalised for offside and despatched Ross Cox to the bin.

Cox could consider himself a little unfortunate by being the next to offend after a general warning, especially as he was having his best game since his return to the club.

Chew took full advantage of the extra man to score wide out but Sam Lewis and replacement centre Jack Claydon both scored converted tries to restore the margin.

Tom Bishop scored the final try having broken through the defence to find hooker Kerran Straker in support. Straker was tackled by the full back but was able to pop the ball for Bishop on the loop to score under the posts.

Nyssen converted and Minehead were home and dry but a further uncharacteristic defensive error in stoppage time allowed Chew to force their way over by the posts and add the conversion for a final 45pts-25 scoreline This was a frustrating Minehead performance for despite their overall superiority they failed to stamp their full authority on the game, conceding far too many penalties and lapses in defence.

Next week’s away game at Taunton will be a vital opportunity to iron out these problems prior to the visit of unbeaten league leaders Hornets on November 27.

Scott Langdon was made Man of the Match for his all round work rate and scoring a crucial try.

Team: T Bishop, K Lewis, A Ford, S Lewis, M Bohun, J Nyssen . J Harris (captain) J Baker, K Straker. K Roberts .D Webber . R Cox. D Harris. R Henson. S Langdon. Rep M Cherry , J Claydon, D Edwards. Tries: Ford Langdon Harris Claydon 2 SLewis K Lewis. Conversions Nyssen 5.