Somerset Premier

Minehead Barbarians 26, Wiveliscombe 20

LOCAL derbies often turn out to be dour, low-scoring encounters but this game was packed with action and produced 46 points over the 80 minutes, writes Roger Bellamy.

Both teams looked to keep the ball alive but also used their forwards when appropriate

The visitors were first to score after their forwards created an opportunity for back row Daniel Smyth-Moore to dive over for an unconverted try.

In response, Minehead worked hard to gain a position near Wiveliscombe’s try line which ended with a try from Ryan Lewis.

Scrum-half Freddie Pring added the conversion to give the home team a 7-5 lead.

Although trying to play an expansive game, both teams were halted by solid defences and scoring opportunities came and went with tackles being made close to both try lines – Wivey were denied on three occasions when by great tackles from the home team’s back three.

Wiveliscombe did restore their lead when centre Dean Rawles intercepted a long pass during a wide move by the home threes, and George Rowe converted to put the visitors 12-7 up.

Minehead’s response was to use their forwards to gain position in the visitors 22 and eventually create a scoring opportunity for Jordan Hose, which Pring converted to put the Babas back on top.

The visitors continued to attack the top touch line and full back Jake Sharland managed to outpace the home defence to score his 35th try of the season as Wivey took a 17-14 lead at the end of a topsy-turvy first half.

Minehead hit back to go 26-17 ahead during the second half after spending good periods on the attack after Wivey were guilty of giving away penalties when under pressure.

The visitors were reduced to 14 players and the home team took advantage, with tries from Freddie Pring and Matt Lynch – both converted by Pring - giving the home team an 11-point lead which proved enough to win the game.

Wivey were determined to take something from the game and opted to kick a penalty late into the match to gain a losing bonus point.

Wivey still hold an 11-point lead at the top ahead of Burnham-on-Sea, who have a game in hand.

A bonus-point win at Yatton next weekend would be enough for Wiveliscombe to secure the title.