Burnham Seconds 7 Minehead 18, January 19th 2013

“Minehead drill down Burnham”

Burnham seconds travelled to Minehead on Saturday amid a tirade of winter weather to find a snowless but cold Minehead reception waiting. There had been some last minute pleas as it was anticipated that this game due to  the weather would be called off, as it turned out the 2s travelled with a full complement; missing some due to  injury the most prolific being the skipper Matt Slater who was walking wounded. Lee Berry stepped into the breach to accept the responsibility of leading the troops into battle.

A good pre game work out under Mark Watkins was most beneficial and brought the two divisions into some form of harmony. This was the steady state as the official got the game under way. From the start it was obvious that the mine head side were well drilled as their backs and forwards gelled together from the kick off. They were playing off key players mainly a good back row, no 9 and standoff and a good inside centre and a particular fast left wing.

Having chosen the territorial advantage they immediately set it to good use; the no 10 was lobbing long balls deep into the extreme left flank of the Burnham defence the immediate follow up by the fast left wing was exposing a weakness in the defence this coupled with numbers in the follow up was creating a dangerous overlap which although thwarted on a number of occasions eventually was breached allowing the home side over for their first try; converted.

This stung deep into  the Burnham side who immediately countered attacked and it was through some brave last ditch defending that Minehead held; their lines remained intact  Minehead were dangerous on the attack using the same ploy as brought about their first try by exploiting the left flank. It was a frustrating period for the majority of the  first half where Burnham who were working very  hard were finding it difficult to get their  act  together and produce the much  needed rewards; in context to  the  work  load that  was being put in some  well-deserved points on the  board would have been just rewards. Inevitable the attrition exerted by Minehead eventually produced their second try as the first half drew to a close. This went unconverted.

At the break Ben Bowkett was brought on; moving Ed Lewis to the front platform.  Ben went off who had had an extremely credible first half this was the first part of strengthening the pack in an effort to stemming the opposition and providing a better attack platform. This immediately produced results as Ben set about making an impact. The second half started  with Burnham having the territorial advantage and immediately set about attacking the home side; deep moves into Minehead territory were carried out by Tim Piper; Ginge ; Rio and Alex Watkins but alas it was the finishing that alluded the Burnham side further changes were made in the form of Mike Smith and Dan Thorne which immediately brought about some additional dominance in the pack  and the loose; this provided good platform for the now numerous drives in to  the Minehead defence. It was from one such move that Tim Piper broke out and sprinted to  out run a kick on but failed as It breached the dead ball line Try gone a begging; which would have been a most valuable asset  to  have at that particular time.

At the other end of the affray Minehead were always dangerous and succeeded in converting two penalties maintain their scoreboard in an upward movement.

Burnham brought on Paul Landorfi in the front row who acquitted himself very well. It was from a good drive in to the home sides’ defence that a number of forward moves resulted in Rio collecting and breaking into the defence to feed Alex Watkins who crossed the line and converted his effort.

The Burnham pack by this stage were dominant in the line domination by Stuart Blake was providing a continuous barrage of ball for the backs to feed off the accuracy of Ash Morris throw in was precise; from a right flank line and drive into the Minehead backs by Tim Piper with support from the pack, Burnham almost brought about a drive over; this was stopped by an infringement by the home side resulting in a scrum. Burnham dominated this play but the ball was squandered in what should have been a score. This Tempo of play if brought into force earlier would have most certainly had a bearing on the eventual score line; which stood as the official ended the game.

In the aftermatch review it was too much of a game of if’s and but’s these can be resolved by bringing about an active response to have all seconds turn up  for an hours consolidated training on Thursday evening, if need be a separate time can be arranged to meet individual requirements. All second team squad must look at attending this activity it will produce results of which we will all benefit.
To those who turned up for this game showed true commitment all are thanked for the effort that was put out during this game.

Next week we are at home to Morganians, bust a gut to get to training and make yourself available for the game.