Burnham 2XV 20 Wyvern 33
“Wyvern Dragon too hot to handle”

Burnham entertained the Taunton Wyvern at home on Saturday, Burnham was keen to maintain the impressive start that had been made to the start of the season and continue the winning ways.

Wyvern would be suitable opponents providing a challenge. Capt. Matt Slater had a well-balanced side at his disposal some players were absent due to work and injury but others had joined the fray which strengthened the side up.

The game build up was problematic; with late call ins identifying a number of players who would not make the start, this called for a re-org of the side to start the game of.
With the side reorganised the game got underway. Wyvern are a similar squad to Burnham who rely on a nucleus of good players in the right position to gel the side, both sides started in the same manner with good penetrating runs from sound possession into each other’s defence, it was Wyvern who started exerting the more threatening pressure engineered by the No 10 who was creating space enabling his back line to get into an attacking formation. Burnham’s defence was good; the backs in the form of Will Conway; Lloyd Stewart, Will Grant  were taking their opposite numbers out Wyvern were quicker at this  stage in organising themselves;  it was through  a situation on the right of the field that they found themselves with an overlap and crossed the line, try converted.

Burnham rallied and started from the kick off by hitting hard into the opposition good carrying from Joe Osgood; Henry Bigwood and seething runs from Will Conway was having a telling effect on the visitors, alas Burnham could not capitalise on these efforts and points did not come, albeit from such a phase of play a penalty was taken by Matt Mitchell; putting Burnham on the score board.

The Wyvern pack  were well drilled and Burnham’s pack was settling; the front row of Slater; Collings and Glanville were  giving good account of themselves, in the line Tom Stevens  and O z were taking their own ball; and putting it to  good effect, meanwhile Wyvern had been working hard and were ever ready  to  exploit any mistakes it was from a turnover ball that  their  no 8 broke away and combining with  their pack  drove the  ball over by the  left  upright try; converted.  This was quickly followed up by a quick rally to work their way up the far side of the field and score an almost identical try to their first. The game was slipping away as the official brought the game to an end of the first half.
By this time Burnham’s reinforcement’s had arrived, substitution were made in the form of Ben Gibb and Chris Leigh; Ash  Morris came on Elliot Donnelly who had stood in at scrum half and executed the  position extremely well despite being out of  position made way for Ben Gibb the side now rejuvenated restarted. Wyvern resumed as they had left off and exerted pressure; Burnham retaliated and  drove the  visitors up to  the try line from there a sequence of penetrating advances attempted to  get  the  ball over  the  line this effort was eventually finished by Ben Gibb crossing under the  uprights try; converted by Matt Mitchell.

Wyvern retaliated and mounted a series of attacks on the Burnham defence that had the home side desperately defending their own line; sustained pressure by Wyvern paid off and they succeeded in scoring Try; converted.

Burnham went onto the attack immediately from the kick off and ensuing success from a series of forwards moves enabled Will Conway supported by Chris Leigh who had made an impressive impact on the game; to break out in space to cross the line by the posts; try unconverted.

The game was moving into the final phases and Burnham was flying, Wyvern was fighting hard for every action and it was telling players were totally committed to the action the casualty rate was rising. It was from a good Burnham scrum that the ball was placed high onto the flank by Ben Gibb chased by Will Conway and Will Grant who exerted pressure on the Wyvern defence that resulted in Will Grant touching down, try unconverted.

This signalled the final throes of the game, as the official called full time on a game that had seen mixed fortunes for the home side.

Burnham did some things very  well  and others not so good, the defence needs to be tightened this can be achieved on the training pitch; on the upbeat an impressive resolve was shown with  some true grit on display which resulted in a close run game. The negatives are worthy of note the positives’ are encouraging.

Next game is at home to the league leaders who will be on a high from their record drubbing of Bridgewater on Saturday.

Training for those available is at the usual time; availability for Saturday is essential.