Burnham-on-Sea 2nd22- Ivel Barbarians 0
“Love’s potion to powerful for the BaBa’s”
Burnham Seconds entertained Ivel Barbarians on the home turf of BASC weekend 27th Oct. Burnham were still smarting from the defeat of the previous week that had left a particular bad taste in the mouths of those who had participated. Burnham had lacked true grit when it was needed; to most the taste of defeat was indeed a long lingering affair.
This was quickly put to bed on the Captains opening address to the team which was more of a showing that has come to be expected on home games; a plethora of talent was on display with players returning from injury and a bevy of colts who had answered the call up in the form of Ben Harris; Ben Stacey; Alex Watkins; Mason; Mike Nash and John Edwards.
A very good work up to the game was held and with the final word from the Captain Matt Slater the official got the game underway.
The opposition; Ivel Barbarians have been performing very well in the league and were above the home side in the League Table judging by their work up they were a confident unit which on the surface was well balanced. The game was to be played on the main BASC pitch, which is wide, and fast this suited Burnham and the weather was perfect for some running Rugby. As the game got underway a reasonable crowd had gathered to spectate on what was anticipated to be a good spectacle of rugby.
Almost immediately the visitors went on the offensive with some well co-ordinated moves between forwards and backs which pushed Burnham into their own half; to the colts this was their baptism of fire it soon became apparent that Burnham was not to allow this side to dominate and a counter offensive which took the home side into the visitors 22 and won a penalty which was aptly converted by Alex Watkins. From the kick off and set up from Glen Cutter with positive support work from John Edwards the ball was intelligently moved into the backs by Stand off Alex Bowkett, Josh at centre timed the pass perfectly to Matt Love who only just failed to beat his man and was bundled into touch; this positive flurry spurned the Burnham side on. From the throw in the ball was set up by the visitors in the mid field but there distribution was disrupted by Ben Bowket who broke out and made twelve metres before setting the ball up; in an almost identical sequence of play from Alex and Josh the timed pass this time got to Matt Love with space to get into his stride who left his opposite number and the full back looking on in awe as he danced between the uprights; try and conversation by Alex Watkins. The home side were beginning to settle. The visitors realised that unless they got moving the game would be out of reach before it had really started and in the next period put Burnham under considerable serious pressure which almost breached the home teams line. The defence held out, much to the frustration of the visitors who were pouring in all they had to get on the scoreboard.
As the game was approaching the end of the first half from yet again a disrupted turn over ball this time by Ash Morris the hooker the ball passed through the hands of Rob Lewis who crashed through the line; passed to Josh in the centre who fed the full back Alex Watkins to be passed to Matt Love who beat of two tackles to score in the corner great try; no conversation. This was the final play of the first half. Burnham up 15 -nil
The brief was all about what to expect in the second half the visitors were expected to throw there all in and this is exactly what happened attack after attack was mounted but Burnham’s line was not breached, due to copious amounts of replacements Lee Berry was able to organise a steady stream of fresh legs into the squad which without a doubt sapped the morale and the strength of the visitors Ryan Reynolds; Mike Edwards; Mike Smith; Gibbo; Mac; Tom Stevens; Mac ; all made it into the squad during this period, which added to the strength of the side who were not only holding out but beginning to exert pressure which eventually saw them camped in the visitors 22, unsuccessful near misses by Capt Matt Slater; John Edwards; and Matt love saw the visitors hang on desperately until from a breakdown and pick and go the ball was delivered to Rob Lewis who immediately showed all where the line was as he crashed over under the uprights, try converted by Alex Watkins. Score Burnham 22 Ivel 0.
In the final ten minutes Ivel conducted a late rally, which brought them very close to scoring; yet again Burnham held on proudly to the clean sheet .
This game was played in the true spirit of rugby Ivel had turned up expecting to take home the points this had been thwarted in every phase of play by a determine focused Burnham side whose only aim was to win the day; this was accomplished by a very encouraging performance of the whole squad who contributed to this win, special mention must be given to the colts who stood up to the challenge and excelled in their playing prowess.
The man of the match was Matt Love a difficult choice as so many could have laid claim to that accolade.
The Captain Matt Slater who had a birthday this week must have dreamt sweet birthday dreams as he snuggled into his teddy bear in the aftermath of this victory.
Training on Thursday at least ;for those that can make it this is a must if we are to build on this performance; this can only be achieved with a positive turn out.