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.