BOS 2nd 30 Morg’s 15
The Burnham 2nd XV were thankful of the heavy rain that fell on Friday night as this fixture was due to be played at Morganians so a water logged pitch resulted in a home fixture which was well supported by the Burnham faithful. Had this fixture been away Burnham would of struggled to field a team but thankfully the Colts game was cancelled, as well as the Rusty Antlers game so 2nd XV captain, Matt Slater, had four young and willing colts to step up into the senior fold and commence battle with Morg’s including a veteran, prop Gilly Hicks.
The game kicked off 10 minutes late, due a required change of shirts by the home team at the request of the referee. The home side applying the pressure immediately on the Morg’s forwards from the kick off which resulted in a knock on by the visiting pack but some quick thinking from Twinkle Toes, Bobby Hewlett, allowed him to gather the loose ball and sprint 30m for the first score of the game. Converted by Alex Watkins 7-0.
Morg’s replied immediately from the kick off and forced the home side back to there own the 5m line which resulted in the Morg’s forward using there power to push the home pack back at the maul for there first try of the game. Unconverted.
The question now was, can Burnham do the same? Of course they can, which is exactly what they did and funnily enough it was the same try scorer as the first, Bobby Hewlett but Mr Watkins sadly missed the conversion.
And no, it did not happen again, meaning that the game began to settle but you could feel the confidence gaining in the home side with more possession of the ball, as Morg’s felt the need to constantly kick the ball to Burnham but there discipline at the break down allowed Morg’s to do what they did best and play stick it up your shirt rugby which the Burnham pack could not contain and allowed Morgs an easy try to bring the game 12-10 at half time.
A couple of changes at Half Time were made, with Greg ‘Horse’ Gosden replacing Richard Wellend and Ben ‘Hagrid’ Harris replacing Gilly Hicks. Ben was making his senior debut and could not be faulted for his display and commitment around the park. Horse made an immediate impact with his bulk and took the home side accross the game line at every opportunity and with some quick ball produced by the forwards, the ball found its way through the back line of Watkins, Mason, another Ben, Ginge then to Twinkle Toes who yes, you’ve guessed it, scored under the posts which was converted by Ginge 19-10.
As most local rugby historians know, Morg’s then resulted to there old tack tics of trying to cheat at the break down and whind up rugby which the home side didnt rise too resulting a penatly within the Morg’s 22. Watkins stepped up with ease to put Burnham 22-10 ahead.
Morg’s then began to play rugby once they realized the ref wasn’t having any of there silly antics and produced a typical blindside try from the back of a scrum, within the Burnham 22, by the winger.
Burnham responded 10 mintues later with a perfect driving maul from 10m out which allowed Glenn Cutter to drop over the line but the try was sadly missed.
The home side had the final say with 5 minutes left as Morg’s discipline let them down again and Watkins slooted home the penalty for a 30-15 win.
A big mention for Mason, Ben Harris, Alex Watkins and another Ben who all played outstandingly and put there bodies on the line with some big tackles.
Next week, Burnham entertain high flying Somerton with a 3.00pm KO.
2nd XV training is this Tuesday and all players and colts are expected to turn up at 6.45pm