Somerset Premier: Minehead Babarians 38, Combe Down 10.

A BIG crowd gathered at Ellicombe for champions Barbarians' final match of the season.

Supporters had come from all parts of West Somerset to join the players and management in a celebration of a tremendous season. Many during the afternoon thought back one year, when a similar celebration had been held to mark the team winning Somerset One.

This year's feat, of winning Somerset's Premier league, is that much greater as the strength of the opposition throughout the league has been greater.

Next year the Barbarians will face even stiffer tests as they move up to the Western Counties League, where success will be again very hard won.

Against Bath visitors Combe Down, Minehead wanted to put on an exciting display to entertain the crowd, but this desire was their downfall early on as excitement got the best of a couple of players who made uncharacteristic handling errors.

The Minehead scrummage was much more stable with David Swann and Paul Avison putting huge pressure on their opponents. That gave a greater level of stability than the team had had in recent weeks.

Minehead breathed a sigh of relief when the first try came. Cox won the line-out, Neyens made a half break and Andy Ford straightened the line before feeding full-back Joe Waterman who rounded the defence to score. Martin Neyens added the extra points.

Then, a break from Bishop on the wing set up a good position, the ball was quickly recycled and Andy Ford broke through. James Browne supported and sprinted 40 metres to the posts for a second converted try.

While Combe's forwards tried to impose themselves by picking and driving, they were resisted firmly by Minehead for whom Henson, White and Swann showed great form.

Minehead should have scored again when Stewart Ford cut through the visitors' defence but, what would have been a scoring pass to his brother Andy, went to ground.

Andy Ford, who had to pass a late fitness test to play, scored the third try when Tom Bishop made a long diagonal break, sold a dummy to Waterman and fed Ford who crossed in the corner.

It was Combe Down who had the last word in the first half, when they managed to maintain a period of pressure in the Minehead 22.

A series of penalties were kicked to the corner and the defence held, but a quick tap and pass gave their stand-off room to squeeze over.

The second half started much as had the first, with Minehead showing much endeavour but failing to put together enough phases to take full advantage.

Then, skipper Jason Hurley pulled his troops together, and the mobile forwards started to drive and put their opponents on the back foot.

A series of drives set up the ball and, as it moved wide, Bishop joined from the blind side wing to set up a ruck. Quick hands moved the ball blind and Hurley scored in the corner for Neyens to convert.

The Babas scored again when Ben White burst along the top wing, the ball moved down the slope where Avison, who had replaced Ford, straightened the line and passed to Waterman who collected his second try of the day.

The home team still had one more try left to show the crowd. From a lineout close to the visitors' line, Tucker threw accurately, Henson caught and delivered from the top of his leap. Cook fired the ball away, Neyens ran flat, sold two dummies and ran clear under the posts, converting his own try.

Once again, the visitors showed they were not just making up the numbers, and a defensive lapse from a scrum in the home 22 saw Combe Down's flanker score.

On a sobering note, the final whistle was blown five minutes early when Minehead second row Rob Branfield received a neck injury and every precaution was taken to ensure his safety. It was a great relief to all at the club when the injury proved not to be as serious as first feared.

David Swann was named Ross Cox Plumbing man-of-the-match.