Burnham 2s 14 Ivel Barbarians 18
“Babas get lucky” 

The Burnham 2s hosted Ivel Barbarians at the BASC on Saturday, this was a much looked forward to  encounter, Burnham were hopeful to regain the impressive start that they  had made to  the season and to make amends for some near misses in the past few games.
Burnham had a well-balanced squad lined up for the clash with the visitors; and were well motivated during the build-up prior to the game. It is comforting that even with a number of the regulars AWOL a bevy of players were ready to step up. The Barbarians had produced a very good side on the last encounter with Burnham; it was with this in mind that this meeting was eagerly anticipated.
The game got underway Tiny (Arron) Reese and Slates the Capt. had set the stall out; and Burnham got off to Blistering start, the visitors had a clear directive to keep it as a forwards battle in this area; they supported some armoured warriors and clearly were relishing a forward battle. Burnham denied them this in the opening stages of the half when mobile forwards linked in and controlled by Will Conway and No 9 Nash were instrumental in driving the  visitors into and camping in their 22, this  clearly rattled Ivel who  struggled to contain the Burnham rush. They did have flurries into the home side 22 but were contained albeit with some valiant Burnham defence, they showed their lethal potential when using their big forwards as battering rams, never the less they were contained.
Burnham were sticking to; and playing to their game plan and it was paying dividends; the forwards were rampant; and holding and winning ball in the scrum; the backs were linking well there was some determined break in’s to the  visitors defence with impressive ball carries and off loads, from Alex Watkins, Elliot; Will Grant; and Ginge; it was after a saturation of play that had taken the home side within striking distance of the line that a set piece involving Lloyd Stewart further engineered by Will Conway that  the  ball ended up  in the hands of Jake who side stepped two defenders to  put down under the posts TRY converted by Will.
Ivel were forced into action and mounted a concerted number of attacks on the home side; the forwards rallied to the challenge with stalwart defensive play from Sam Wall; Oz; Nashy; Ed and Matt Glanville, still the line held, Ivels only consolation was a penalty nearer the end of the first half.
As the half drew to a close Burnham mounted a series of moves that progressively moved them down field; backs and forwards were linking well the backs were being very cohesive with good forward support, Rob in the centre burst through only to be brought down close to the line this action was joined by a number of Burnham forwards where by in the ensuing white line mayhem saw Capt. Matt Slater crossing the line left of the upright; TRY converted by Will Conway. Half time Burnham leading 14-3.
At the resumption of the game the game plan was for more of the same with instructions to up the tempo; in an effort to increase the cushion gained in the first half this was reflected and provided with some fine running rugby, impressive distance carries were produced by Elliot Donnelly, Watkins and Will Grant; meanwhile in the scrum the pack were working in cohesion, sadly it was the  finishing that was the  let-down, this lack of focus was capitalised on by the  visitors who were turning the game around to  a forwards encounter; they applied concerted pressure using their heavy forwards and it eventually paid off as they crossed the home lines, try; and conversation.
The ensuing phase of the game saw a to and fro around the half way mark; Tiny produced substitutes at this stage in the form of Ben Harris Glen Cutter and John Edwards these fresh legs failed to inject an increase in pace agin a visitors side who were beginning to  dominate. It was not long before they produced; from an onslaught on the home line that they eventually crossed the line. Try unconverted.  This put the visitors in the driving seat with the game moving into the conclusive stages.
Burnham had one more play to take the game back, this was given away by a moment of indiscretion which saw the official awarding a penalty which was converted 18-14 to the visitor’s; game over.
There are valuable lessons to be learnt from this game, this was a game that Burnham Lost; the disappointment was felt by all; Burnham had the capability it was the creditability that was missing; credit must be afforded to  the visitors who maintained their focus throughout the game and succeeded in the end.
Next game is away to Minehead, we must take the positive from this game and there was numerous pros and turn these into points on Saturday.