Burnham 2XV V Cheddar Sat 11 Jan.Burnham 0 Cheddar 53.
The Burnham 2s travelled the short trip to Cheddar to commence the second part of the current season this being the first game since the Xmas recess.
This was to be a challenge; as Cheddar are the current league leaders with an unbeaten record in the league to date. This Cheddar side are a good unit as was experienced in the first encounter in early autumn, it was fully appreciated that this game would be very much in the defensive mode. A good squad had been picked for this encounter with Jake Evetts pulling on the Kevlar as the captain for the day. The day in contrast to the recent weather experienced in the region was perfect and the pitch was in good condition.  The pre match build up was successful and the official got the game underway, Cheddar play their rugby in a very  conventional manner relying on a sound 8;9;10, to  dictate the play; with a mobile full back and a sound pack, as mentioned they  are a cohesive unit when they  settle.
 Burnham started the game in absolutely the correct manner they ripped into the opposition in a manner that totally upset their modus of play. This onslaught upset the home side who found themselves defending in their half with certain exceptions for the first  twenty minutes; during this period several scoring opportunities went astray with good supporting play from Joe and James Osgood and a missed chance from a missed link up between Alex Watkins and  Nathan Smith. Sam Wall playing again at Scrum half was dictorial in the control of forwards and backs which was gelling very well.
When Cheddar moved onto the attack some very impressive tackles, from Elliot Donnelly Nathan Smith and Matt Mitchell was curtailing try scoring opportunities. This added further frustration to the home side. This resulted in a forwards battle mid field. As mentioned the home side rely upon the Standoff to create the chances and this he did getting the ball down the line after stepped inside Alex Watkins and opening up a scoring opportunity for the winger; try unconverted.
This kick started the home side who threw everything at the Burnham blue line, their pack who thought they only had to turn up; were engaged in trench warfare the Burnham front three of Slater; Glanville; Lewis supported by Tiny and Jake were well dug in and making it very difficult for the home side to stabilise an attack platform, never the less the home side stuck to it and managed to cross the Burnham line twice more before half time.
Burnham had adopted a rolling replacement mode and had run out by this stage Ben Gibb, Matt Bonell; and Ben Hunter; Andy Goodall who had put in a sterling performance at Flank was rested before replacing Tiny in the second row later in the game.
The game restarted much as it had finished; Burnham had drawn a lot of credibility from the first half performance and again launched a concerted attack into the home side territory. This onslaught however left the back unguarded which was exploited by the Cheddar number 12 who ran out; and clear; to score under the posts.  Burnham showed true fighting spirit as they again went on the offensive only to fall into the same trap enabling the home side to set up a move on the wing to score in the corner. This was followed by two further tries.
The game ebbed and flowed over the mid field as it moved into the final stages Burnham had stood up to what is a superior side and fared extremely well the scrum had performed outstandingly; in the air, Osgood and Stevens had dominated; despite the pressure put upon them the home side retired from the pitch knowing they had been in a game of rugby.
This was a very credible performance from the Burnham squad and they can draw a lot from this performance they had been well led by Jake Evetts they can all  take this forward into the remaining games of the season. It was a proud squad that walked back to the dressing room; well done.
The squad was (if you have an *by your name it because you have confirmed your availability for Sat 18th) Ed Lewis; Matt Granville*; Matt Slater*; Tiny*; Jake Evetts*; Joe Osgood *; Tom Stevens*; Sam Wall*; Alex Watkins*; Elliot Donnelly*; James Osgood*; Nathan Smith*; Matt Mitchell*; Andy Goodall*; Ben Hunter*; Ben Gibb*(conf later); Matt Bonell*;
Next game is the rearranged fixture against Wyvern Away Saturday 18 Jan. Trg this  week is Pool on Monday; and  field Trg on Thursday.