Match Report Burnham Seconds 65 Martock 0
“Burnham unleash Maelstrom on Martock”
It was a side that was smarting from the encounter with league leaders Somerset 2 South that unleashed a vortex of rugby on the unsuspecting Martock visiting side on Saturday.
Skipper Matt Slater had an impressive turn out of the troops to choose from and although the weather was not in the mood for flowing rugby Burnham certainly was. With an impressive cohesive work up completed and all of the battle hardened regular players back on duty the official got the game under way.
Burnham had chosen to play with the wind although the terrain was up hill; it was a good choice as the hungry Burnham pack went immediately for the jugular of the Martock pack. Burnham immediately went onto the offensive and pinned Martock down in their 22 they were putting up brave resistance but it was becoming ever more difficult to contain the Burnham forwards as they maintained momentum it was only a matter of time before a penalty infringement happened. It did and Alex Watkins stepped up to put the first points on the board.
Martock were stung into action and returned like with like driving into the Burnham half from the kick off; alas this phase of play broke under stiff Burnham defence resulting in a turn over instrumented by Phil Collings and Ash Morris, this recycled ball was put to good use by Lee Berry as the ball passed through Chris lee to Matt Love to race across the line one of his two tries of the day, Watkins stepped up to mark and added to his tally.
The game settled down into a war of attrition mid field with the visitors gaining in the loose; from one such advantage they kicked deep hoping no one was at home; the ball was collected by Watkins who embarked on a solo run supported by Oz on the wing, created great space for himself dummied the Martock full back and finished of a fine effort; sadly unconverted.
By this stage Burnham were on fire the Forwards drove deep into the Martock defence creating two forward drives into the opposition 22 from this Phil Collings picked up and drove into the Martock defence looking more like an out of control android he waded through two defenders to score a fine try, Watkins was there again to step and claim the points.
This saw the first half end, substitutions’ in the shape of Rob Lewis; Rio; Jack ORegan and Stuart Blake were called up.
As the second half got under way it was clear that it was to be more of the same; Rob Lewis got the ball and immediately attacked the opposition in his characteristic way punching deep into the Martock defence in this instance the support was not with him and he faltered short of the line. This was hastily scrambled in to touch.
The line out was won by The other Oz who found the mark and the ball was distributed by Mike Nash who had replaced Lee Berry at Scrum Half the ball went to Chris Lee who had Rob in direct support who made no mistake this time as he crashed over the line. Conversion missed.
Further replacements were made Phil Colling went off with a blood injury replaced by Ed Lewis; Mike Smith came on for Mark Coles; the game continued at the same frenzied pace. Ed Lewis was settling into the tempo of the game when he found himself in the ideal attacking position 10 m from the line when he received an off load he made no mistake as he drove the ball over for a fine try. The opposition it has to be said to their credit did not falter in their efforts to exploit at every opportunity the home sides mistakes and although it seems like the play was one way it was not; every point had to be worked for’; alas it did not stop the Burnham scoring machine and further tries were added by Alex Watkins; O’Regan and Rio.
As the game moved into the final phases with Burnham again attacking deep down the right side of the pitch which had experienced concentrated defence and counter attack; from a well set up forwards platform Mike Nash the scrum half broke out and supported by Mike Smith of loaded, Smith had only the skipper Matt Slater in support with a regrouped Martock pack facing; the inch perfect pass gave Slater the space to manoeuvre as he crashed through four defenders to cover the 15m to the line. Job Done; Game Over; Well Done.
Best Tries of the Day the two forward tries of Collings and Slater, best backs try Watkins, commiserations to Ginge Sommerhayes who dropped before touch down.
Man of the Match Alex Watkins.
This was a very good club result and will do much to raise the moral of the seconds. This is how the 2s can and must play for the remaining games. This can only be achieved by total reliable commitment from the whole squad for every game especially the away games.
Next week we travel to Minehead there is a score to settle at this venue; let Matt Slater know of your availability soonest.