Winscombe Under-14s were narrowly beaten in the semi-final of the Somerset Cup by Ivel Barbarians.

WINSCOMBE Under-14s semi-final clash in the Somerset Cup was played under the floodlights at Ivel Barbarians ground in Yeovil.

Ivel struck straight from the kick-off and charged down a clearance kick which was pounced on for the opening try, duly converted, soon followed by a penalty.

Winscombe hit back when successive drives from the forwards resulted in Combe making it to the Ivel five-yard line. After being overturned, Winscombe manage to charge the kick down for Tom Amer to cross, converted by Joe Hartshorne.

Winscombe defended well, but Ivel won a penalty which they kicked to the corner.

Quick passing was rewarded when they scored in the corner to give them a 15-7 lead.

Winscombe came close to scoring in the last few minutes with a line-out of their own. Sam White took the short throw, but again Ivel’s tackling denied the visitors the score.

HORNETS Under-11s travelled to Taunton Preparatory School to take part in a six club training session and mini tournament.

The clubs included Minehead, Chard and Sidmouth and there were five different training sessions that also involved two RFU coaches and an Under-21 GB league player.

After the five pod sessions, the teams were split into six different sides with Hornets having Reeve, Lawrence, Tyler and Sam in the Tigers side and the Panthers side included Tom Read, Alex, Lloyd, Robin and Harry.

In cold conditions, the Tigers drew one game and lost the other two. The Panthers drew two games and lost the other, although Tom Read scored two tries.

The Under-7s took the short trip south to Burnham to take part in a three-way team event that also involved Minehead.

Playing four games, Hornets’ squad was split into two teams and all played well from the start, despite the chilly conditions, but cold hands and equally strong running from both Minehead and Burnham meant Hornets had to work hard to keep ahead.

As is now becoming the norm, all the players contributed something in all the games they were involved with.

The Under-8s travelled to Burnham for a three team round robin cold conditions, but with great parental support for all teams. Hornets fielded two separate squads and both of them put in strong winning performances.

A large pitch and supportive refereeing resulted in a display of free flowing rugby with some great individual running performances along with spells of great support play.

It was a day for attacking with tagging made difficult by cold hands, but on two occasions strong defensive play by Hornets forced turnover ball.

Results: Burnham 3, Hornets 9; Minehead 3, Hornets 3; Burnham 6, Hornets 6; Minehead 4, Hornets 8; Burnham 3, Hornets 3.

Hornets scorers were William, Cameron, Maison, Cooper, Willow, Oliver, Finley, Owen, Haydn, Max and Dan.

The two player of the match trophies were awarded to Finley and Willow.

Full squad: Cameron, Dan, Finley, Harry, Lucas, Luke, Max, Oliver, Willow, William, Haydn, Maison, Cooper, Owen.