Burnham-on-Sea 2nd7 Taunton 3 rds 27

Burnham Seconds opened their league account in Somerset 2 South with an opening game against the visitors Taunton 3rds. This  was a much looked  forward  to  game  as  it would  bench  mark  the  standard  of  the  new division that  the  newly  promoted Div 3winners now  find  them selves in. Taunton are  a  side  with  a good pedigree  who  finished in the  top  echelons  of  the  table  last  season.

Unfortunately  what  should  had been  a  big  bang; started  off very  mildly  due to  the  dilapidated  squad that  skipper Matt Slater had  at  his  disposal.

With  the  squad  sorted  out  and  players finding  themselves  in odd  positions  the  game  got  underway. This squad  by no  means had  the  power that  was  displayed  week  after week  last  season which  was  decisive  in the  results that  were enjoyed never the less  it  was a competent line  up, the back  row was  lead  by  Alex Bowkett, serviced  initially  by Alex  Watkins at no  9 also making  a  debut in the  senior  side was  Rod stepped up  from the  colts who  stated the  game on the  flank. Ryan Reynolds was at a steady state at full back; the forwards had a pepper pot of seasoned players.

The official got the  game  under  way and  Burnham showed some very  good initiative  with some  very  enterprising running down the  line, striking  into the Tauton 22 it was only by some good  defending that  the  visitors  were able to  keep  a clean sheet in the  early  stages; this was  made  possible  by  some  very  good  work  from the  pack, in particular Mark Coles  and  Ben Bowkett, who were really making their  presence felt. One  move in particular which stood out  was  a very  good combination between Alex Bowkett Will Grant which  almost  saw JR Osgood open the  account.

The play in the interim periods was very even, it was  apparent that  the  Taunton side had the  experience of team cohesion in the  side  as  they  were well  drilled, something that  Burnham continued  to  thwart good  work by basic errors. It was  from a period of  lost  focus  that  provided  Taunton with  their  first serious opportunity which  they  took and  crossed  the  line, after  a failed  conversion the  score 5 Nil. As the  game  moved  towards half  time Burnham again struck  deep  into  Taunton territory with  some determined  running from Rob  Lewis and good  connections  with  Alex  and  JE Osgood with Ginge  Somerhay getting in on the  act  from the  flank  it was  again the lack  of  finishing that  did  not  produced  the  desired  result. Taunton were  quick  to  reply and  crossed  the  line from a  good series of moves  up  the  middle, this  effort  they  converted the  half  time score  was Burnham trailing by 12  Points.

Half time saw Mike Whitfield and Phil Colling come on Paul Landorfi had played extremely well and contributed immensely; the strategy was read out and the game commenced.

Burnham went immediately  into the  attack  mode which  completely over powered the  visitors who  conceded huge amounts  of territory  up  the  middle of  the  field; with  the  forwards driving hard  and  deep  into the  Taunton masses this  hard  work  was  rewarded with  a Try  by  Rob and the  conversion by  Mike  Whitfield.
The  game then resumed much of  the  same pattern of  the  earlier periods  of  play, Burnham had there fair share of opportunity but much of  it  was  wasted due to a failure  to pay  attention to  the  fine  detail of  finishing and distribution; to  much hard  fought ball  was  gifted  to  the  visitors. Burnham were made  to pay for these  mistakes conceding two  penalties within scoring range and being caught out  on an number of  overlaps which surrendered up  two  tries.
As the game entered the final minutes a late rally from the home side was launched which unfortunately did not materialise in any points.

It was  a disappointed Burnham side  that  made  their  way  back  to  the  dressing room; the players had contributed incalculably throughout  the  eighty  minutes, the pack’s  work load had been gargantuan; great comfort can  be  drawn from their  efforts against  a very  good  well drilled Taunton pack.

A lot can be taken from this game Burnham;

• Need to hone the basic skills; this can only be achieved by attendance at training.
• They need to settle a side that has cohesion as was the case last season; this can only be achieved by commitment.
• They must have  numbers turn up  for  every  game which can only  be  achieved  by the  players making themselves  available week in week out.

The next league game is against Tor 2nds away 08 Sept.

All players are requested to make their availability known to Matt Slater. Soonest.