Match Report Burnham 2XV 7-TOR 12 28 Mar 14“Burnham and Tor a close ran affair”
Burnham 2s entertained 2nd placed Tor at the BSAC on Saturday.
TOR are on a high this season having consolidated their playing base which has produced results taking them to second position in Somerset 2 South, their playing unit is similar to the Burnham Force with a subtle mix of old and new. This game was eagerly looked forward to; Burnham were mainlining on a mixture of success brought about by the line-up of victories experienced in the last four games.
The weather had turned favourable for this encounter and the playing surface had fared well; the build-up for this considerable unit went well and the official got the game under way. 
Burnham approached the start of the game with a focused positive winning attitude. From the start Burnham took the  game to the home side; camping firmly in the 22 region of the TOR half; it was apparent from the early encounters that the sides were evenly matched; Tor were playing in the first half with  a wind  advantage and began to  put it to  good use; deep territorial kicks had Burnham scurrying back to  recover before taking the  offensive; this  followed a period of meandering; conducted in the  mid  field as both sides sparred for  superiority. It was Burnham who provided Tor with first scare of the game when; from a well set Forwards platform the backs were unleashed in the form of Jake Allen and J Osgood who fed Mason who just failed to reach the line; the clearance which brought some respite to TOR was aided by the wind; taking the ball deep into Burnham territory.
This sparked TOR into action and the next phase was all TOR as they tested Burnham’s defence to the limit; it held; but it was trench warfare.
The game again swung to  the TOR end as Burnham increased the  pressure; good flowing rugby was being produced with flair ups from the  forwards in the  form of Osgood; Stevens;  Collings and Evett who were constructive in good carries and offloads this was allowing the backs in the  form of Watkins Love and Smith on the wing to  continue to  threaten the TOR back line who by this  stage had a deep respect as to  what would happen if  Burnham were given half  a chance.
It was a break out from TOR with a kick on that was misinterpreted by Burnham that allowed the visitors to get on the score board before half time which they duly converted.
With the wind advantage now with them the 2s restated the game and went on the offensive this had TOR digging in but Burnham had to maintain composure as TOR were ever ready to pounce on any let up; twice Burnham came close to crossing the line first from Watkins then Love; good running from deep by Donnelly and Smith on the wings were a constant danger to TOR deep kicks from Mitchell had a tiring TOR pack continually on the move. Alas the try would not materialise.
As the game flowed into the Burnham half TOR hammered into the defence relentlessly this paid off when a penalty try for a scrum infringement was awarded try; unconverted. TOR 12 Burnham 0
The game was still there to  win and Burnham went on the attack once again, such was the consistency of this phase of play that had the Burnham pack dominating; and the backs looking for a gap that a try had to  come; despite numerous attempts the line was eventually crossed by Alex Watkins, and converted.
For the remainder of the game Burnham continually harassed the visitor’s line but the score which was merited never came. The game ended with TOR victorious 12-7.
This was a game played by two well matched sides; flowing rugby was entertaining to watch; and productive and rewarding to  play in; the Burnham 2s can take a lot away from this game; namely a well-rounded team performance;  into  the  final game of the  season on 12 April.
In the after match discussion comparison was made regarding this game; TOR who are well established as the league No 2 have shown and been more consistent through the  season; this  is an area where Burnham has had problems; on the day it certainly should have been carried by Burnham if the  “What if” syndrome was applied; “what if” Burnham had taken the  first half penalty; and “what if” Burnham had not conceded the  penalty try and” if “we had the benefit of dominance in the air a Burnham strength; then the  score line would have been different!! All those in favour say Aye!!
Next week is a to be confirmed arranged fixture to facilitate a touring side more on this will be published when Known; The seconds final game is away to Wiveliscombe on 12 April. A large turnout is required for this final fixture.

This  was very  much  the tale of the  half with  Burnham stable in the scrum; Osgood and  Stevens dominant in the air; in the centres Ben Gibb; Macka; Jake Allen all executing good penetrating carries well over the  gain line and the wings Smith and Donnelly  ever ready  in hot pursuit to run down Morgs defence. As the game folded for the first half the scores were all even. Burnham had 70/80 percent of the territory and an equal amount of possession.
At the restart Burnham weathered the expected onslaught from the Home side who were determined to seal the game up early; unfortunately they had omitted to invite Burnham to the party as the blues had a different agenda. Changes had been made to the visitors Lloyd Stewart replaced Tiny in the second row; Will Conway came on after a long injury to standoff; Matt Mitchell went in to full back, the replacements injected the desired increase in tempo to  the  game resulting in Burnham again camped in the home side half; good pressure by the  forwards who were now exerting themselves in the forwards game as Morgs appeared to  lose power from their tiring forwards which  directly resulted in a penalty infringement for not releasing; giving a kickable opportunity to Will Conway who opened the  account Burnham 3 up, fragile but in front. 
From the start a good take and make break by Edwards culminating in a Maul enabled Conway to break out and chip on into space Maka collected; fed  Mitchell; who drew the Morgs defence to  feed Donnelly to  complete the  service between the uprights; converted by Will Conway. The try was disputed by claims of a knock on which had gone unseen by the official; score confirmed; Burnham 10 up and in control.
Further reinforcements were poured in; in the  form of  Sam Weeks for Tom Stevens; Sean Lloyd for Phil Colling who had contributed exceptionally in the pack and in the  loose; holding the most metre coverage of any forward on the day Mike Smith for Jon Edwards in the second row. Ben Harris had made an appearance due to an injury to Matt Slater who had resumed normal service. The home side had realised that drastic measures were needed and threw everything into the game. They mounted attack after attack into a Burnham Defence that held up extremely well and it was only after considerable concentrate pressure that in the final minutes of the game they were able to cross the line via their scrum half.
It was a last ditch bid as the final whistle was sounded; an epic victory for Burnham who had out tackled; out run; out played; the home side.
It was a formidable unit that had squared up for this match; the same unit with the same focus and determination to win is required for the next game 08 Mar.  
Training for those who can make it is a must, next Sat 08. Home game against Somerton.