Nailsea & Backwell welcomed Minehead Barbarians to the West End ground this week.
Having scored freely last week, Nailsea carried on where they left off with Hooker Ryan Barrow going over in the corner after only two minutes of play. On ten minutes, Outside Half Rob Baker placed a deft kick through and the resultant chase saw the Minehead Full Back pressurised into touch near their line. From the resultant line out and drive, Scrum Half Jamie Sullivan crashed over for a try.
Nailsea then conceded two penalties, the result of some indifferent discipline from the home side. On the half hour Nailsea were taking several pick & drives near the Minehead line when the ball was then spun wide for Winger Ben Perfect to go over in the corner.
Minehead responded minutes later with a try of their own, finding a rare hole in the Nailsea defence, 15-13. Then Rob Baker, always on the hunt, intercepted a pass to run 40m under the posts for the bonus point try converted by Jamie Elswood. Nailsea’s indiscipline kept Minehead in the game with penalties either side of half time, making the score a somewhat nervous 22-19.
However, then it was Minehead’s turn to feel the wrath of the referee with a yellow card and two penalties converted by Jamie Elswood making the score a more comfortable 28-19. Minehead, who were not here to make up the numbers, set up a good attack down the wing, their Winger showing exceptional pace to close out the move with a try in the corner to make the score close at 28-26.
Nailsea, showing no signs of panic, then proceeded to take advantage of another Minehead yellow when from a line out drive, Hooker/Scrum Half Ryan Barrow went over. Minutes later Man of the Match, Second Row Mike Frohlich (pictured) made the game safe when he rounded the Minehead defence to score. Baker adding the extras.
On the final play, Full Back Charlie Bircham-Davis scored to close the game at 45-26 to Nailsea.
This game was perhaps more of a test for Nailsea, but with four penalties keeping Minehead in the game, Nailsea will need to look at their discipline to stop gifting the opposition points. Next week sees a break from league rugby when Nailsea welcome neighbours Yatton in the Cup. KO 2.30pm.
