Burnham got back to winning ways and in the process moved up to 5th in the table. the match was played in bitingly cold windy conditions which appeared, initially, to spur Burnham into swift action. Right from the start Burnham applied the pressure forcing Barts into giving a lineout just inside their own half. Gowan shot up like an express lift, straight off the top to Piper, who then released the rampaging rhino that is Wikitera to smash through Barts defence before offloading to Henry Bigwood to score between the posts. Jordan Paul converted 7-0. Burnham kept their foot on the pedal, with Lewis and McKechan combining to almost create the 2nd try, but clearly showing Burnham’e intentions. After 12 minutes Barts’clearing kick was collected by Paul,instantly offloaded to Wikitera, scattering defenders before adroitly passing to the supporting Tim Piper to touch down between the posts. Paul converted.14-0. Burnham kept their proverbial stranglehold on Barts, camped in their territory, but ,unfortunately,committed a series of basic errors and poor discipline. However,after 35 minutes, Spelman picked from the scrum, supported by Holder, who delayed passing to Jordan Paul to round the last man and then score out wide.19-0.3 minutes later Barts strayed offside in front of the posts.Paul duly obliged.22-0.Barts somehow managed to shake off the shackles and after 2 consecutive penalties conceded by Burnham they gathered in good lineout ball,set up the rolling maul and crasued over.22-7. Halftime.  In the second half, with the wind behind them Barts capitalised on Burnham’s mistakes, eventually creating their favourite weapon, the rolling maul, held up over the line, but from the resulting scrum, their No.8 picked up, broke away on the blindside and then slipped the ball to the winger to score out wide.22-12.Burnham now knew that Barts were not going to lie down and roll over and after a succession of side to side movement, Piper created enough space to send Ash Tucker on his way,using his strength and agility to claim the try, earning Burnham a much needed bonus point. After 27 minutes Burnham were reduced to 14 men, dubious decision by the referee, allowing Barts with the extra man and weight superiority to claim third try.27-19. On the stroke of time,following a late tackle on Pike, Burnham took the penalty lineout, formed a driving maul, whereupon the rest of the team piled in to produce an unstoppable force so that Jordan Wikiteria was able to record a richly deserved try.32-19. Final score.A good performance by Burnham, much improvement in lineouts with smoothly esecuted co-ordination between Peters and Gowan, scrums holding their own, Shaw showing what a destructive force he can be and all in all if Burnham could eliminate half the errors they make, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Debut boy Chris Marsh produced 2 timely tackles collecting himself a colourful eye as a badge of honour. Well done Burnham. Burnham are at ahome again this Saturday in a re-arranged fixture against Gordano.Kick off 2-30pm.

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