Burnham 2XV 24 – Minehead 17

“BURNHAM MAKE MINEHEAD DIG DEEP”
Burnham played host to a visiting Minehead unit on Saturday which turned out to be the only game playable in Somerset 2 this weekend. This came about by the rumours the Royal Navy had deployed a submarine to assist the local population on the Somerset Levels!
Bitter memories lingered as to the reception received on the previous visit to Minehead where the Burnham blues went down badly; firm resolve was generated to put this right.
Captain Jake Evett had a mixed bunch in the armoury; due to other commitments and injuries many players found themselves in unusual positions; for example; Tiny Rees found himself at scrum half! Nevertheless the squad was up for a positive encounter.
It was clear from the start that Mother Nature was to dictate how this game was to be played after a very positive work up Burnham started the game facing up into a considerable head wind.
Minehead capitalised on this advantage and placed the home side under considerable pressure, stalwart defending from Phil Colling Matt Slater and the Forwards kept a determined Minehead at bay the backs were not idle and made some very good carries from Dan Spelman and J Osgood supported by the wings Smith and Donnelly.   
The pressure was taking its toll as mistakes were being made due to the visitor’s forward pressure which eventually resulted in Burnham conceding a try; unconverted.
Minehead were on a high and piled on the pressure which eventually resulted a well worked forward try; unconverted.
This was the theme of the game with Burnham sustaining considerable pressure; again this pressure enabled the Visitors to gain from mistakes forced upon the home side and a penalty was awarded in a kickable position Burnham 12 nil down with half time approaching. The game was not all one sided some very intelligent place  kicks from the  scrum half Tiny were put in; despite the  fact  he was functioning with one eye at  this  stage; an injection of pace was introduced in the  form of  Henry  Bigwood when a reshuffle was conducted due to injury  and  early departure of Ed Lewis; Burnham on the  attack were very  dangerous with  breakouts from Dan; Henry  and  Joe Oz creating threating incursions into  the  visitors half; this  was encouraging and with  support following swiftly on; was making an impact; alas all attacks were quickly turned to  hasty  defence as the  wind would carry  a high ball deep into  the  Burnham half,  as the final stages of the  half settled Minehead increased their lead and went into  the break up 17 Points.
Changes were made at half time to increase the  tempo as the  plan was to  go  on the attack; Chris Jones and Lloyd Stewart were called up, the game restarted with  Burnham focused on the  fact they  had 40 mins to  turn the  game on its head. The strategy  was to utilise the  weather advantage to its full potential and from the  start the home side piled on the  pressure, this  was soon rewarded with  a try  from the  captain Evatt; who piled over from a well-constructed set  piece, Mitchell failed to  convert, but the  dead lock had been  broken, more pressure was applied with  Slater and Colling rampaging with all the Forwards, Jon Edwards executed some good  carries and noticeable was the  support that was available to  enable good recycling; this pressure and the intelligent use of the elements was pinning Minehead in their 22, this pressure brought off results when Osgood now playing at  Scrum half crossed the line from a phase of continuous pressure, this time Matt Mitchel found the  spot and converted.
Relentless now in their approach  to  the  game saw Burnham dish up more of what was the  main effort  and went straight back into  Mineheads 22 to commence the  attrition and edge ever closer to  the  line; Minehead were reeling under the  pressure and an infringement by the  Minehead flanker resulted in a penalty  try  and  a yellow to  the perpetrator. Matt Mitchell completed the honours; with fifteen minutes remaining it was all even on 17 each.
The captain rallied the  squad with the need for one more score; this also fired up the  visitors who attacked with  a new found ferocity, camping deep in the Burnham half and looking threatening,  again it was a resolute defence that quelled the pressure and converted the  defence into  attack; a long kick deep; followed up by Nathen Smith and  Elliot Donnelly who pinned the full back into  his 22  gave the forwards time to follow up  and set  up  a pick and go sequence solid carries from Phil Colling and Jon Edwards with Andy Goodall who had replaced Tiny in the second row enabled a scoring chance picked up by Henry Bigwood who did the  honours converted by Matt Mitchell.
As the game settled to a countdown Minehead mounted their final assault.
This most certainly was a game of two half’s Burnham were worthy winners; they had created the most chances and retained composure in both halves; capitalising with more determination when the element advantage was with them. A well-deserved win.
Accolades must go to the forwards in this game; who commanded in the air; capitalised in the set piece; and dominated the loose play. Well done.
The 2s next outing is  against  high flying Morganians away on 01 Mar. a Large following is required for this crunch match it is imperative that all make themselves available for selection; training as usual Tues / Thurs.