Match Report 24 Jan
Burnham 2s 71 Wellington 5.
Burnham vetured out to Wellington on Sat 24 Jan to play a previous cancelled fixture due to bad weather prior to the Xmas break. Wellington are struggling to find form and fortitude this season; but with Burnhams away record one could be excused for having the jitters.
Whats more the Wellington first team were at home which could have been a source of reinforcememts
Burnham were able to muster seventeen players for this encounter who in all fairness created a formidable force, a win; was much needed to raise the spirits from a clutch of disappointing performances of late.
The day was good; clean; clear; cold; and heavy underfoot the squad pulled out in good time giving a lavish time for the team build up which went well; the official got the gameunder way albeit the home side were still having players joining as the game commenced. It was clear this was a weakened Wellington side but credit to their sporting prowess they were up for a game; this attitude was to be prevalent throughout the game.
Burnham started of very promising the pack were providing a good platform for the backs to work out of; it had been decided to play with the inclined territorial advantage; it was clear the the left was good for exploitation as a series of carries from the backs opened up a gap to enable James Ozgood to cross the line converted by Wills Conway. Wellington came back in reply and pushed Burnham into their own half; the loose play resulted in a turn over for Burnham which saw a move orchastrated by Conway and Shaw on the right which release Wilcox to run in under the posts; try; converted by Conway. This released in the Burnham side a try frenzy as all players became obsessed in going it alone; the result was quite the opposite as players were being caught unsupported and isolated; in a bid to break out a wild pass was intercepted by the Wellington inside centre enabling him to yomp home to an easy try.
It was clear that this strategy was not paying off and Matt Mitchell called for a resumption of proper service which settled the side who began to play as a team; this saw Matt Mitchell capitalise on a gap in midfield and break into the Wellington defence to score under the posts converted by Conway.This was very quickly followed up by George Wilcox chasing down a loose ball and crossing to add to his tally converted by Conway.
As the half drew to a close Burnham were now producing 15 man Rugby.
The team brief at half time was for more of the same also it was strongly reiterated that focus on the game was to be maintained; changes; were made in the form of Smith for Evatts and Maynard for Wilcox; with that in place the game got under way.
Burnham were playing much more flowing rugby; good work within the pack from Ed Lewis and Henry Bigwood were creating the required platforms to engineer attacking moves Shaw was ever present and Ben Gibb was always on hand to scoop up and capitalise on any opportunity of which he did so on three occasion in quick succession.
The dominance was evident Peters was leathal on the strike and Burnhams dominace in the air was apparent. It was clear as the game progressed that their was still more to do Ryan Maynard had been stalking his wing like a stealth bomber and when his oppertunity arose he
triggered like a cruise missile bearing down with his opposite number; both locked onto a loose ball which Ryan won admirable; and screeched home for a fine solo effort.
The days work was finished of by Sam Hall who bounded home in the corner.
Once Burnham had settled down some very creditable rugby was played; Wellington have to be congradulated for sustaining the effort throughout the game, The next outing of the Twos on Saturday at home will be a different scenario as they host league leaders Wiveliscombe; looking ahead from next weekend; is a visit to high flying Hornets who will be buzzing for revenge.This is a great challenge for the twos to rise to. It will not be met without commitment.