Burnham 2s 22 Wiviliscombe 13
“Burnham’s four card trick lays waste to Wivie”
Burnham 2s travelled to Wiviliscombe at the weekend to the final outing of the season. The journey is into the black hole of the Somerset country side and probably the furthest to travel within our league.
The journey bore a resemblance to Malaysian flight 370 as the bus meandered towards the final destination; all arrived in good spirits to the Wivi seconds pitch; which is a dank postage stamp of a pitch; boxed in by allotment and poplar trees.
The journey had brought about an air of complacency; focus was on the third half in contrast to winning the initial two; with that frame of mind the game started; and started well for Burnham, forcing the home side into their 22 ; yet despite the effort the finishing was poor. The home side locked onto this immediately and started to apply pressure as the game ebbed around the half-way point they grew in confidence. This eventually paid off for the home side who forced a penalty and converted to give them the lead. This new found confidence was a boost to the home side who attacked Burnham with a vengeance; help had also appeared from a mystery source as it seems that within Wiviliscombe people walk around with the Wivi club rig on as fresh players appeared on the touch line fully kitted out! This aided the new found confidence and half way into the half they crossed Burnham’s line from a well worked forwards phase supported by a break out from the centres. Try unconverted Burnham 10 nil down half time approaching.
Burnham continued to experiment to find the form that they have grown accustomed to; and through exerted pressure on the visitors had two unsuccessful penalty attempts at the home uprights. Burnham were not playing badly it was more of situation of re-alignment to get what they were doing right.
Half time brought in valuable time to appreciate what was going on, the Capt Jake Evetts; laid down the strategy on how the half was to go; with replacements instructed to warm up the game restarted.
Burnham had taken on board what was said at the break and restarted with a sharper outlook in comparison to the previous half; straight onto the attack they went as a fifteen man squad the forwards were securing good ball; retention in the loose was tightened up, a weak point from the previous half; and the backs were digging into the Wivi defence forcing them on to the back foot. The break came when during a try line action phase Sam Wall followed up a scrappy defensive clearance and stole 5 points; try unconverted.
Wivi retaliated and forced Burnham into their own half; this was a dangerous time zone to be in as Burnham are guilty of going to sleep at this stage, the home side forced a penalty; stepped up and took the points edging further ahead 13-5.
Damage limitation was required replacements were called up; on came Tom Stevens; Ryan Reynolds; Alex Watkins as the game commenced Burnham began to get their act together; fitness and alertness was proving the key issue at this time; the size of the pitch disadvantaged the Burnham runners with Mason Shaw and Matt Love not finding the space; try as they did, both had put in some fine carries, but this pace once unleashed is hard to contain and from a backs move Matt Love found the space and crossed the try line; sadly unconverted. This put the home side into shock which was capitalised on by Burnham as the pressure was piled on Tiny retired and Smith went on all Burnham’s subs were in full flow, it was really attrition conducted by both side looking to break in to settle the game; again it was Burnham who got the edge despite another mystery sub by the home side the forwards had driven forward superbly; carries from Matt Slater and Phil Colling had forced the home side back, Jake Allen broke through and found Matt Love who again made it to the line; try; unconverted. Burnham were ahead it was now up to the home side to take the game to Burnham; this they tried but it was a composed Burnham side that was now in the driving seat, to add the icing on the cake from a scrum feed in the Wivi 22 Jake Evetts broke out fed Will Conway who slipped the ball to Jake Allen to finish the job converted by Alex Watkins. Game over.
This was a creditable performance from Burnham who showed a lot of character to come back from a deficit and win so convincingly. It was a win on a high; to a season that had experienced so much disappointment.
The much anticipate social withdrawal as planned for the move back to Burnham was thoroughly enjoyed on the homeward journey.
This was the final League game and should settle Burnham’s place in the league; on reflection it must be taken on board that this should be the start Line for the next season; there is no reason that the same squad should not form up in September to continue the movement. The late in the season rally from the 2nd team should show to all what the team are capable of.
To reflect on the season the side won 4 home games 5 away games achieved 8 bonus points through tries and 5 by proximity to a loss. Points 44 with an adjust of 5.
The dip in the season at the end of 2013 cost us dearly; this is an area to focus upon for next season.
The man of the match was without a doubt; Ben Gibb but so many credible performances were put in mainly Chris Warner; Ben Bowket; George Wilcox; Ginge; Lee Berry and many more.
The loss in this victory is the fact that it should have been shared by a lot more of the 2s squad; commitment is needed for all games; the result could have been so different. The seconds have no game next week. The next outing is away to Ivel Barbarians 02 Mar it is imperative that all make a consolidated effort to be available for this and all remaining games left on the fixture card.