Burnham 10 Morganians 3 27 Jan. 
“Burnham Bogged Down by Morgs”

Burnham travelled the short distance to Morganians for something of a local Derby on Saturday; the Squad has yet to yield to full strength since the New Year; never the less a good squad was mustered, again under the command of Lee Berry due to the continuing lay of injury of Captain Matt Slater.

Morgs have not had a good season so far but their strengths are well known to the visitors due to the previous encounter. The home side favour a pack oriented game with them dictating the play.

A well-orchestrated work up to the game was carried out and the strategy of the game was laid out, it was a good day for rugby although the pitch was heavy in places. The game got underway and Burnham launched into the game plan rehearsed during the work up phase. Burnham immediately set about moving the ball quickly away from the forwards engaging with the backs and bringing in direct support with the forwards; this worked extremely well, with forwards and backs connecting well penetrating runs from the forwards by Ben Bowket and Ginge Sommerhaye created very good platforms supported by Phil Collins and Lloyd this pressure was maintained hard hits by Chris Lee was telling and as the ball was slipped to Matt love he finished of a fine series of play by touching Down under the uprights converted by Lee Berry. A very good start by the visitors.
The home side retaliated fiercely and slowed the game down to their pace, maintained in the forwards this frustrated Burnham who found themselves defending in their 22.This onslaught was maintained by Morgs who were frustrated by a valiant Burnham defence.

The game began to ebb and flow over the middle ground of the playing area Burnham could not shake of the tempo that they had been sucked into mainly playing a forwards game; although when breakout’s happened and the backs and forwards linked a lot of ground was made by these incursions these in the main were made by Ginge Summer-ma-boab Phil Collins and Lloyd, all too often they broke down due to handling mistakes and the game would fall back into a forward mishmash that encroached entirely on the strategy and tempo of the game that Burnham wanted to  play.

Morgs had some very enterprising phases of play and given the opportunity were dangerous one of these phases brought about a penalty which was taken bringing them into a game winning bracket. They followed this up by throwing everything at Burnham still the defence held steady.            

Burnham maintained the pressure on the home side continually although by this stage they were playing against their game plan they knew that to let Morgs become dictorial would have the severest of consequences, the defence held well Full Back Ryan Reynolds continually cleared his lines very well, and still the forwards resisted to give any ground. The breaks were beginning to become more frequent Ginge was a power house in this area; Will Grant drove deep; Dan Thorpe who had replaced Mike Smith contributed in this area as well, from an oppressive period a penalty was conceded by the home side this was ably converted by Lee Berry.
As the clock ticked down Morgs launched a consistent attack into the Burnham 22 driving deep onto the line; every Burnham player stepped up to the line and produced a rock solid defence that Morgs were unable to penetrate.

The official brought the game to a close with Burnham on the break; this was certainly not an enterprising game but a win is a win regardless of what it looks like.

All Burnham players had contributed immensely to this game; in the backs Chris Lee, Mat Love, Will Grant and Ryan Reynolds has aspired; in the forwards Glen Cutter, Phil Collins Lloyd, and Ginge had produced a monumental effort.

Man of the Match this week goes to Ginge Sommerhaye, for a huge work load maintained throughout the game.
Training on Tuesday and Thursday for those who can make. No game is scheduled for 02 Feb. Next game is at home against Crewkerne.