Burnham 2nd 26 Bridgwater-Albion 6, 24 Nov 12

“Burnham’s Rugby Storm brings floods of tears to Bridgewater”

Burnham seconds entertained neighbours Bridgwater to a storm swept BASC on Saturday. Somerset was reeling from the bellicose of dreadful near Monsoon weather conditions that had befell the county in the preceding days before Saturday. The twos were tooled up for this game; any engagement on the Rugby Field with Bridgewater is always a much looked forward to encounter.

The two’s skipper had been called up to first team duty once more and again the responsibility of commanding the troops fell to stand in captain Lee Berry. As fate would have it; at his disposal he had an awesome set of backs with conditions more a kin to mud wrestling this indeed would be a challenge. On top of all this it was well known that Bridgwater favoured an upfront skirmish. Weather conditions aside the pre match onus was based on an impactive fast forward battle setting up the backs to run the opposition down and out. On paper this Bridgwater side was capable this was on the mind of every  Burnham player as the official got the game going, Burnham were playing with a territorial disadvantage playing into the slight gradient. The game started exactly as had been anticipated with Bridgwater looking to mixing it up in the forwards and exerting domination from this area; their experienced players immediately stared to be dictatorial in all areas including attitude. Burnham immediately put their marker down making it clear that they were not to be dictated to and that they would excerpt their own tempo into the game. Very early in the game confidence within the two s began to grow as they demonstrated that they were faster to the break down in numbers and the distribution to the running backs was beginning to punch holes in a labouring Bridgewater defence. This was getting to the opposition as there cohesion began to break down, it was from a turn over midfield with two Rambo’s executed by the forwards:  that good ball made it into the backs with the ball passed to Chris Lee who drew two players to pass to Ben Gibb he demonstrated to all, where the line was; try scored and converted by the scorer a great start.

Play commenced with the visitors trying desperately to  get some composition into  their game plan; this made them make mistakes; which the official was quick to correct much to  the  dismay of the  visitors; great credit is to  be given to  Burnham who consolidated and maintained their composure; this  was awarded in the last phase of the  half when Joe Osgood broke free from a fine feed  from Josh to cross the  line for the home side’s second try converted by Ben  Gibb. Good rugby was on display by Burnham thwarted only by the  weather in the pack the front three of Glen Ash and Phil were in charge Ash Morris was picking of the  put ins  at  ease the second row of Ginge and Mike were providing the  power and  the lock out when needed the back  three of  Lloyd Tom and Ben  Stacey were dominating any break down with numbers, power ; and unity. Bridgewater was under mounting pressure to contain this cohesive surge of mobile rugby that was being layered upon them in waves. Burnham executed a number of forward and back moves that took them onto  the visitors line on three consecutive moves, the deadlock was finally broken when scrum half Lee Berry broke out indicated to  the backs to engaged dummied the entire Bridgewater defence side stepped into  and over the line try scored unconverted almost on the  stroke of  half time.

Half time saw Will being replaced with Alex Watkins with another four replacements waiting to get on it was an eager Burnham side that started the second half. This started much in the same way the half time talk had an impact on the visitors as they mounted attack after attack on the home side whose defence held out extremely well. It was during a moment of a lack of concentration that Bridgwater stole a try by their loose head prop as he sneaked into the corner try unconverted. This focused Burnham who settled into playing simple rugby it was taking a toll on the visitors who were buckling under the effervescent Burnham play. Further changes were made when Horse; Will Conway and Chris Jones brought fresh legs into the side. They had an immediate impact from a line out that had belonged to Tom Stevens all day the ball went to Will Conway who punched a hole in the Bridge water defence this was followed up by Josh passed out to Ben Stacey who exploded over the line for the fourth try and bonus point; converted by Alex Watkins.

At this point the floods of tears started from the Bridgwater backs; it soured the game to a certain extent; in the pack their was mutual respect for the effort that had been put in over the course of the game. Finally the game settled down as the clock ticked down. The Referee finally ended the game as yet another cloud burst over the field of play. 

This did little to dampen the jubilation of the seconds who had put in a sterling team performance to bring about as conclusive a demise of a Bridgwater side who had turned up expecting a result.

This was an astounding team victory; it would be very difficult to single out any individual to wear the mantle of man of the match. The accolade could be given to the backs; but then the forwards played a very experience Bridgwater pack to a standstill. The game was played in difficult conditions; the team had held their discipline and played focused committed rugby it was a very satiating result indeed; all who participated did a job well done.

The seconds have no game next Sat training for those who can make it is Thursday.

Next Game is away to Cheddar Valley 08 Dec. All squad members are asked to make themselves available for this game.