A classic game of two halves was had as the Stags took to the long winding A39 on Saturday to take on third placed Minehead Barbarians and aim to maintain that impeccable unbeaten league run.

Minehead started the match the better side who kept the visitors on the backfoot for many periods of the first half. Poor discipline and decision making by The Stags allowed Minehead to take hold of the game and after 10 mins they took the lead after a well worked try 5-0.

From the restart, it was The Stags turn to put pressure on the home side who were awarded a penalty for an infringement at the breakdown. Tim Piper found touch but The Stags lost the lineout which allowed Minehead to clear away from wither there 22 area.

Minehead continued to put pressure on The Stags which in turn forced many errors and loose possession of the ball. It wasn’t too long before the score doubled, 10-0 and on the stoke of half time Minehead managed to bag another try to extend the lead 17-0. HT

Along came the hair drier treatment as Coach Kevin Inalls didn’t hold back in his half time chat. Changes were made with Tom Wall, Sam Wall & Scott ‘not the DJ’ Mills came off for Tom Stevens, Luke Gowan and debutant Asbel Rodriguez aka ‘The Spaniard’. Gowan had returned from injury after dislocating his elbow back October.

Stevens & Gowan were an instant hit in the forwards and the cohesion that came for next 20 minutes proved why The Stags are league leaders as they clawed back all 17 points and took the lead 17-19 with some sublime flowing rugby. Poor Minehead didn’t know what had hit them but knowing how resilient they are more was to come.

Gowan was first for The Stags which Piper converted, then came Sam Lewis who scored from the back of driving maul and then came along Stef Pierce from the back of another maul to take the lead.

With momentum in The Stags favour, Minehead found a way to disrupt it as they managed to keep hold of the ball once they had it. Working their way towards the Burnham white wash they were awarded a scrum 5m out and came away with 5 points and moments later scored another out wide to extend the lead 27-19.

Gowan bagged his second try shortly after to set up a tense 10 remaining minutes but Minehead held on and closed the game out to beat the league leaders in what was probably the best game of the season so far. End to end stuff with two quality teams fighting it out for the 80 minutes.

Final Score 27-24.