This top of the table clash more than lived up to it’s billing,with either side having strong periods of supremacy.However burnham’s renowned set of forwards,yet again saved the day.Burnham started the better of the two sides and after 5 minutes of probing and following 3 successful phases inh the middle of the pitch Hayden Tuttiett placed a smart kick behind Teignmouth’s defence enabling Love to hassle Teignmouth’s winger into mistiming the bounce.Seizing his chance Tuttiett had followed up his kick, gathered the ball and raced to the corner.5-0.15 minutes later Burnham regained possession just inside their own half and Piper’s astute cross-kick sat up nicely for Matt Love to gather,brush aside the fullback,using his pace and strength ande score in the corner.10-0.Both sides both collected 3 further points with successful penalties.13-3.Teignmouth then moved up a gear into their most emphatic period of the game,unfortunately assisted by some poor defensive work by Burnham,rattling up 3 tries by halftime,2converted.13-22.Burnham’s forwards coach had some stern and sound advice to offer at halftime which Burnham obviously took on board,replying with 3 tries of their own,all converted by Piper,firstly after a series of scrums that Teignmouth transgressed,culminating in the referee awarding Burnham a penalty try,secondly after an immense spell of Burnham pack pressure Tuttiettt released Tim Piper to dummy one and then hand off the last defender and scramble over next to the posts.27-22.6 minutes almost a carbon copy of the previous score with Tuttiett timing the pass to Piper to again break the line.34-22.However Teignmouth were not finished yet and deep into injury time produced a fine try to jangle the Burnham faithful’s nerves,but alls well that ends well.34-29.Both teams produced an enthralling match, with no malice,just a committed advert for rugby.Well done Burnham.Burnham’s next match is away to Wellington,Saturday 19th Oct. kickoff 3pm.

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