Tinys day in the mud

Burnhams preparation for this game was not helped with the absentee’s of key forwards Alan house and George scott who were both on holiday, Stuart blake was away on work and Bryan webb who sadly broke his leg whilst playing last week and looks set to have his rugby career cut short after having pins put in. All at the club wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him out on the pitch in some form in the near future. So with all these unavailbilities burnhams resources were stretched to the point where they drafted in 47 year old second row Arron (tiny) rees and also having to put utility back Tim piper to number 8 along with Elisi vunipola to scrum half a tough day was on the cards for the boys in blue.

It was to be a low scoring game due to the heavy conditions under foot with the pitch come the end turning into a mud bath which hasnt been seen at burnham for a few seasons.

Burnham started the strongest and were rewarded with several scrums on berry hills line which resulted in 3 penalties to burnham and in the end elected to kick for 3 points which was converted by Rio cooper.
More pressure from burnham found themselves again in berry hills 22 and from the resulting lineout the forwards drove over the line only for the ref (who probably didnt have his best day for both sides) deemed the ball held up even though the only thing holding it up was the grass.
Opportunities were few and far between so when the time arrived the stags got themselves another penalty which again was converted by cooper, this was to take the score to 6-0 at halftime.

Come the start of the second half the pitch and weather was taking a turn for the worst and was making a flowing game very difficult along with the constant blowing of the refs whistle. What burnham have managed to do over the last couple of games is to tighten up their defence and this again was another solid display from all specially the forwards who had young Ben stacey to thank for some heroic tackles and a try saving take at a lineout, this was his first home game for the first team and already he has settled in well and is showing that he will be a great player for Burnham in years to come.
With some last chance attempts by berry hill to score burnham held out for a very solid win and have now won 4 out of their last 5 games a great turn around considering their start to the season.

Next up is bristol harlequins away