Tribute Western Counties (W): Minehead Barbarians 29, Paignton 17.
MINEHEAD Barbarians' final home league match of the season will be remembered for a long time as they produced the performance they had threatened to for many weeks.
The South Devon team arrived as league leaders, and their supporters added to the exciting atmosphere of the day. However, it was clear that the Barbarians were not intending to help crown their visitors as champions, and after only five minutes the home side took the lead.
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The Elicombe side forced their way into the visitors 22, and Avison, at fly-half, dropped a sharp goal.
Paignton quickly struck back. Powerful short drives from their back row and centres put Minehead on the back foot, and when they infringed, the visitors kicked a penalty to equalise.
The driving tactics of the visitors were causing some real problems to the Barbarians at this point, as Paignton's runners were breaking the first tackle too often. This resulted in a try when the visitors prop forced his way over by the post for a converted try.
Under his posts, Minehead skipper Jason Hurley made it clear to his team that he expected all their first-up tackles to be made. His words took a clear effect, as the home side now threw themselves into the tackles, denying Paignton the ground they had been taking around the fringes; in addition, Avison and Luke Brown closed up any gaps in midfield with some shuddering hits.
With the defence improved, the Barbarians went on the attack, a breakaway by Henson helped set up a position near the Devon team's line for a Minehead line-out. Cox took the ball cleanly, and as the defensive drive came on the ball was slipped to Henson.
The home pack drove forward and Lewis claimed the try, Avison kicking a fine conversion.
Now Minehead had their tails up, and they scored again before the break. This time, Cook gained a turnover outside the 22, and the ball was moved up the slope, Lewis threw a big miss-pass and Walker-Blair raced in for the converted score.
A seven point lead at the break gave the Barbarians confidence, but they knew that now they had to face the wind, and a good team out to claim vital league points.
As expected the early pressure was from Paignton, but Minehead's defence was strong. Swann, Hurley and Baker were solid close to the ruck and maul, while Tom White, Henson and particularly Lewis covered the ground making tackles and winning turnover ball.
This commitment brought its reward when Avison moved the ball up the hill, Browne made a good pass which set up Walker-Blair on a break, he was held in a half-tackle and slipped the ball to the supporting Dan Bishop who ran to the posts to for the try.
Paignton again fought back, and spent considerable time in the Minehead half, but the home defence held. One notable moment came when Browne was penalised for a late tackle. Paignton kicked toward the corner, White leapt in the air, flicking the ball in-field where it was cleared.
Eventually, the visitors reduced their arrears as a drive to the Barbarians' line was judged to be stopped illegally, and a penalty try was awarded. This closed the score to 24-17.
However, this was to be Minehead's day, and they brought on Priddle in the centre and Parsons at prop, both players making a big contribution as the home side continued to attack. Priddle made some telling passes, while Parsons' physicality made an impression at the scrums.
After pounding at the Paignton line through the forwards, Cook sent the ball out to an overlap and Walker-Blair strode over in the corner for the final points of the day.
Paignton played a full part in an exciting match, but only the most fervent Devonian would doubt that Minehead were by some distance the better side on the day, as Paignton had been at their ground.
For Minehead, every player made their mark and showed that the Barbarians can be as good as any side in the league, when they put their game together.
The A and P Farmer, man of the match was a very difficult choice, with Sam Lewis just getting the award ahead of number of other fine performances.
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