Burnham Seconds 27 Wiveliscombe 22.
“Burnham wash away Wivvie.”

The Burnham 2s opened their Div. 2 account on Saturday with a home game against Wiveliscombe; this was the second part of a double bill at BASC with the 1st at home also.
The weather had held nicely and the playing conditions were favourable, Captain Matt Slater had a very well balanced side at his disposal with a handful of players in waiting on the side lines.
An early call up resulted in a longer that normal work up to the start of the game which was very verbose and  graphic; lots of  good squad work was achieved resulting in a sound preparatory period  before the game started.
Burnham have had mixed fortunes against the visitors with honours even from last season, they do have a reputation of putting together a good side well capable of producing some good rugby.
As the game got under way this at least was obvious. Burnham was running out some new colts to the senior game in the form of Sam Weeks and Elliot Donnelly; they were to provide a fitting contribution to the game as it wore on.
Burnham started well pushing the  visitors well  into  their  own half, long Kicks from Rio was forcing them to cover a lot of ground from the  back foot; as time wore on the visitors settled down and  started penetrating runs out from their own half which were not pinned down quick enough forcing Burnham to re-org from attack to defence, this was risk  taking that was not necessary and would  cost  Burnham dearly.
Burnham did not capitalise on this early advantage and should  have  pressed home their authority with more determination as it was the game settled  down in mid field as both sides looked for  forward domination. Wivelscombe had the heavier pack; Burnham had the mobility, this was to be to their advantage as the game progressed.
It took a break out via Chris  Leigh to point the way forward supported by Rob Lewis picked up by Will grant  supported by Alex Watkins that took the home side to the visitors line. The following pressure from forwards resulting in the backs running out saw Alex Watkins cross the line for the first score which he then converted.

This was quickly followed up by much of the same when Rio got into  an  attacking position to be  stopped  and  found Matt Glanville in support to take the off load  and  score left  of  the  upright conversation failed Burnham 12 points up.
At this stage Burnham went to sleep, allowing the visitors to get back into the game with a try     (converted) and two penalties. This took the game into the interval; both sides had the game to win or lose. As the game resumed Burnham had not taken on board much of what had been said; allowing a silly infringement to concede a penalty to which the visitors pounced upon and took the points. 
This acted as a wakeup call to Burnham; much to the delight of the  touchline support who bellowed  encouragement to this more determined positive reaction; immediate pressure was put onto  the  Visitors pack who were beginning to feel the pace of the Burnham pack as they dominated the loose; from a turn over from Ben Bowkett  the  backs  connected allowing Rio to see space countenancing him to cut  his  way  through the visitors back to touchdown. Try; unconverted; certain changes had been made preceding this Elliot Donnelly had come on Sean had replaced Ed Lewis who was to reappear, Tiny had given way to a re-org of the front five, the units were beginning to  gel, Rod Lewis in the  backs  along with Chris Leigh were the artillery in the attack hammering into  the visitors back  line continuously; they were beginning to benefit from the support play that was being produced, Will  Grant and Alex Watkins were ever present, it was from a fine  break down  the wing by Will resulting in a text book pop up; that saw Rob Lewis drive over for the fourth  try, unconverted. Wiveliscombe   were still a threat and demonstrated this by coming back and scoring a try and taking the points from three penalties, nevertheless Burnham could smell victory. Further changes were made; back on came Ed Lewis and Sam Weeks, Mike Smith appeared for Chris Jones.
During this period Burnham had pinned Wiveliscombe down in their  own half; the  line outs were being dominated by Ben Bowkett and Sam Weeks some very good ball was produced from holding and driving as a forward unit, this  in conjunction with  the backs attacks was telling pressure on the visitors.
It was from such a move that the ball was driven to the defending side’s line with Burnham in command that Smith handed the ball to Lee Berry to finish the drive over; Try; Unconverted. 
As the game drew to a close Burnham had the upper hand and was camped in the visitors 22.
This had been a good test, it had saw Burnham lead; lose the lead; re-compose themselves and end up with the result, all players are to be congratulated for a fine effort. Mistakes were made and it was more than elaborated on at the time; the training field is where to put this issue to rest properly.
Next game is away at Bridgwater next Sat Sept 21; all players are to make themselves available to  Captain Matt Slater by Thursday.  

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