Somerset Premier

Wiveliscombe 17, Minehead Barbarians 12

WIVELISCOMBE fly-half George Rowe scored all 17 of his team’s points as they edged a tight West Somerset derby between two evenly matched teams, writes Roger Bellamy.

Minehead, playing up the slope, started the stronger using their larger forwards to gain good field positions.

They developed a good attacking position and moved the ball wide allowing lively winger James Day to round his opposite number and give Minehead the lead with a try which Freddie Pring converted.

Conditions made handling difficult for both teams and the game was interrupted by numerous handling errors from both teams.

Opportunities were limited but Wiveliscombe pulled level when fly-half Rowe showed a refreshing slight of hand to open a gap in the visitors defence and score a try which he converted.

Scoring opportunities were few and far between for the remainder of the first half but Wiveliscombe took a chance to take a 10-7 lead into the break through a Rowe penalty when Minehead were caught offside.

Playing up the slope after the whistle, the home team did well to limit the visitors to a few scoring opportunities and it was Wivey who made the first impact in the second half when talismanic fly-half Rowe crossed for his second try which he converted to give Wiveliscombe a 17-7 lead.

Minehead raised their game as the forwards pressurised the home team, who had to show great resolve to stop the visitors from crossing the try line.

The visitors did have the final say through a try from Lee Parker, but Wivey’s team spirit helped them hold on for their 10th straight victory which keeps them top of Somerset Premier.

It would be wrong to name any particular player in the home team because they all contributed to this victory but the visitors also gave a performance of a team third in the table.

Wiveliscombes 2nd XV fixture against Bridgwater 3rd XV did not take place as Bridgwater failed to raise a team.

This Saturday, Wivey’s 1st XV host Yatton and the 2nd XV welcombe Winscombe.