Burnham-on-Sea 2nd 49- Wyvern 17
“Burnham’s Class act, Blows Wyvern away”

Burnham Seconds travelled to Fortress Wyvern on Sat 14 April to meet second placed Wyvern in the final game of Somerset 3. This should have been a game of epic proportion as the league decider but due to a slip up by Wyvern against North Petherton it was pride that was at stake. Wyvern is the only team to have beaten Burnham this season in a very close, highly controversial match early in the season. Burnham was set on revenge.

Wyvern had created an enormous amount of Hype for this game billing it as one of the clash of the Titans, this suited Burnham down to the ground.

Captain Matt Slater had an impressive squad of 27 players to call on for this game all had contributed throughout the season to produce probably the finest season for the seconds in the History of the club. All were eager to play.

The team with the fanatical support arrived early at Fortress Wyvern to commence a very comprehensive well-drilled work up to the game orchestrated by Mark Watkins; Captain Slater had identified the first wave of shock troopers that were to start. After the customary brief by the official and the more important match strategy brief; the game got under way. The pitch was wide; hard, with a lot of space Burnham were to dominant the scrum, and loose areas then let the backs do the running. The game started well with the Burnham pack working the Wyvern Pack well; this is an area of Wyverns strength and it was important to break this down and capitalise on the out come. The backs serviced by Mike Whitfield at scrum half and the backs commanded by Alex Bowkett were beginning to show Wyvern just what they were capable of in some of the early skirmishes into the Wyvern territory.

Podge Barrington was providing some very impressive penetrating runs into the heart of the opposition pack, assisted by Ben Bowkett and Ryan Jones who were providing some excellent platforms to launch attacks at the opposition. It was from a crash ball by Podge near the Wyvern line that caused a Wyvern infringement the penalty was quickly taken  by scrum half Whitfield who slithered over the line to score; conversation missed Burnham on the scoreboard.

Wyvern came back with real purpose and pressurised well into Burnham’s 22, the pack rallied and began to work the ball out it came out to Rob Lewis who carried 35 Meters to off load through the hands of the Stand off where it was worked out to Sam Ford who had replaced O Reagan on the wing due to injury Sam carried into the opposition 22 before being brought down the support was in the form of Mark Coles and Tom Stevens followed by Ben Bowkett who picked up and crashed over the line for the second  try. The conversion was successful. This gave the visitors a breathing space and put Wyvern under pressure to attack.

This is exactly what they did and for the next 15 mins pinned Burnham into defensive mode. It was clear that Wyvern knew it was tries that they needed as they ran a succession of penalties due to Burnham’s mistakes that would have been easy points on the board. Burnham’s defence held well and it was due to over commitment by Wyvern that enabled Ginge Sommerhay to exploit a kick on and scored a fine try after a 50 m blistering run into the line chased by the entire Wyvern backs.

Again Wyvern came back at Burnham it was clear to see why they were in the position in the league that they are; they attacked Burnham’s line again with great resolve. This eventually paid off with a fine back row move and a score under the uprights converted It was Wyvern who ended the first half on the offensive.

Half time saw Burnham make changes and this was to be the theme throughout the half Burnham introduced almost as many players onto the field as the cast of Lion King the Musical. All those who travelled made an appearance on the field of play, Jones, Love, Viger, Smith, Ford, Landorfi, Ozi, Renolds, Baillie, Harris, Berry, Morris.The second half started as the first had done, it appeared that Wyvern had shown their best as Burnham started to grind them down, it was due mainly to this attrition that scores came from Matt Love who bagged three, Tom Hocking who had two powerful individual tries, the captain Matt Slater had a fine try and Mike Whitfield added another.

To give Wyvern their due they kept trying to put their game together and were able to exploit certain situations that bore fruit by scoring two tries in the second half. These came about due to defensive errors by Burnham.
Burnham nevertheless maintained the pressure on a now tiring Wyvern side who by now realised their Fortress had been breached, as the game moved into the final stages Sam Ford and Matt Love capped of very entertaining afternoon with the score line at 49-17 the match official brought the game and Burnham’s season to an end.

This was a very  entertaining exciting fast  game  of  rugby played  by  two  very  capable  sides. The spectators on the sideline were enthralled and captivated by the feast of rugby that was on display enjoying every minute of the game.

The job was now completed. Burnham had taken the  title  as  true  champions of  the  league. The bogeyman of  the  previous encounter with  Wyvern, which had been their brag all season, was now well and  truly laid  to  rest

The  playing statistics for  the  season are  very impressive indeed,;

Played            14
Won               13
Points for       679       
Against          90
Bonus Pts      12
League points 64

With the first two halves in the bag the third half began!!

But that’s another story!!!

Burnham Town can well be proud of the Burnham RFC second squad for a tremendous season where they have acquitted themselves by an exemplary effort to win their current league.

To  all those  who  have  contributed to  this momentous occasion they  should indeed  feel very  proud of  their achievements