Minehead’S head coach Andrew Stevens will take his side to Tor on Saturday safe in the knowledge that his side are exceeding expectations this season.

At the start of this season the Barbarians were aiming for a season of consolidation after their relegation from Western Counties West but with just over half the season left they are well in the hunt for a play-off place, although the title looks odds on to go to Weston Hornets.

Hornets are 18 points clear of third placed Minehead and 13 clear of Chard in second, but those two sides meet this weekend in a crunch match-up.

Stevens said: “Ideally we’d like Hornets to win that and we could potentially go level with Chard in second if we win at Tor, although it’s not the end of the world if that’s not what happens.

“At the start of the season we said we’d be happy with a top four place but if we end up in second then we’ll be keen to win the play-off.”

Last Saturday Minehead’s win over Gordano was built on hard work and good discipline and Stevens says Minehead need to exhibit that kind of form in every game if they’re to continue their good form. He said: “Our ball retention was good and we played the conditions well, although to be honest our ground does cope well with wet weather and wind.

“We suffered a little lapse in concentration at the end of the match which was a little disappointing, as we can’t afford those lapses, particularly away from home.

“Home advantage is huge in this league and we see results go the way of the unfancied home side regularly.”

With that in mind Stevens’ approach to this Saturdays game at Tor will be no different to any other. Although the Glastonbury based side are struggling at the foot of the table Stevens is only hoping for a bonus point win, not expecting it.

“The key is to knuckle down and work hard for a win,” he said. “If you take a side into a game expecting to win it won’t just happen, it has to be earned.”