A New Year and a New Start

Burnham’s first game of 2013 was against last seasons glouscester prem champions old bristolians who so far this season have aquitted themselves well to this league with a respectable mid table position and after the early season encounter between the two teams (where burnham had won) this though would not be an easy ride what with burnhams run of late, but there was a new found optimism in the air and with players back from injuries and suspensions along with a very decent warm up burnham went into the game more confident than they have for a long time.

Playing in near perfect conditions burnham started the game on the back foot and with all the early pressure resulted in a converted try along with a penalty to put the away side up 0-10 within 10mins. But instead of putting their heads down and letting them carry on scoring burnham increased the pressure and with strong phase play they created 2 penalty chances where Tim piper slotted over 2 fine kicks to put the score to 6-10.
Burnhams forwards were again at their dominating best playing against a side which was certainly a lot heavier in the pack along with also what must also be mentioned is the entire front 5 was under 25 not many teams can put out packs like that at that age and be so dominant. So with the forwards and backs working together they got themselves into position in old bristolians 22 where a succsession of rucks lead to hayden tuttiet to dummy and squeeze over to take the score to 13-10 with piper adding the extras.

Not long after with the confidence showing burnhams play started to expand and a fine individual break by tuttiet got burnham into the ob’s 22 and neat offload to the beast that is ollie streeter (who is sporting a good christmas) who powered himself over into the corner 18-10.
Then came the try of the game, ob’s were attacking from just outside their 22 and were going strong until rich ‘kiwi’ muskett smashed and ripped the ball off his oppenent in one movement and with great skill and determination proceeded to run from 20 metres and score a great individual try. piper conv 25-10

half time 25-10

The second half was a more dull affair with most of the game played in the middle of the park and the affects of christmas coming into account along with not playing for 3 weeks mistakes were made. But with the last 20 -15 mins left burnham intorduced and welcomed back their player coach former tongan international elisi vunipola and with his influence burnham settled into their rythum again and with the forwards dominating again number 8 bryan webb scored following another break from tuttiet. 30-10
With the game coming to an end burnham secured the win with webb going over for another after stealing the ball off kiwi 35-10

Final score 35-10

A performance that had been missing for a while finally came out and with it being the first game of the new year a perfect start and a long returned belief into the squad to start climbing higher up the league table.
man of the match was hayden tuttiet with a fine performance
next week burnham are away to avon with the coach scheduled to leave around 11:30am-12pm

happy new year from all at burnham rugby club