A late try by Winscombe gave them a narrow win at Minehead.

Minehead 5 pts

Winscombe 12 pts

MINEHEAD started the game with more intent than their visitors and took an early lead through a try.

Winscombe responded by putting together a number of phases in which Aaron Ford and Will Thomas made line breaks, ended with a penalty award under the posts, but the simple chance was missed.

The visitors were soon on the attack again, but spilled the ball five metres from the line and then lost it in contact after Fryer had won the first of his five strikes against the head.

Minehead reached the Winscombe 22, but conceded a penalty. The relieving kick sent them back to their own 22, where Greg Brown secured his own line-out ball. Thomas broke away and support came from Brown and Chris Aske, who sent Thomas in for a try. Pugh converted to put his side into the lead.

Owen Howell made a break up to the 10-metre line, where he failed to send his unmarked winger away, but was saved by his pack who won another ball against the head.

Throughout the afternoon the windy conditions made passing difficult, Minehead persevered with a driving and kicking game, but were thwarted by a determined defence in which Adam Scrase was prominent.

The first time Winscombe could sustain some pressure against the wind, they produced a second try to seal the game.

Substitute hooker Louis Hooper claimed a ball against the head with the assistance of tight head Scrase and Howell twice drove on to open up the blind side for substitute Andy Ball, who found both props outside him. Simon Thompson sent his partner Scrase over in the corner with five minutes of normal time remaining.

A couple of Minehead players had been injured and so there were still 10 minutes of play during which the game opened up as Minehead became more expansive in search of a goal to tie the game.

The Winscombe defence held with the Ford brothers and Callum Stewart making important tackles and it allowed Thompson, Aske and Scrase to make some dangerous late forays for Winscombe.

Given the conditions it had been an entertaining game, helped by the sympathetic officiating of Weston referee Dave Brooks.