Burnham’s 1st XV league campaign started with a scenic drive to OldField OB in Bath on Saturday. The Stag’s have had several new players join during pre-season including Tom Chaffey who returned to club after a 4 year absence.

Burnham started the game well with ball in hand and having good territory in OB’s half but after 10 mins the Stags lost the ball to OB’s winger who sidestep the returning Chaffey and broke away to score a converted try. Unfortunately for Chaffey, the over stretching and aim to prevent the opposing winger from passing resulted in a dislocated shoulder…………welcome back Tom! Bizarrely, in the same incident, Josh Holder had collided his nose into something so the Stags brought on the Havercroft Brothers to replace Tom & Josh.
Several minutes passed and the Stags ill discipline crept in resulting a a penalty for OB. Score 10-0
The Stags gained momentum again and Piper found space in corner with a perfectly weighted kick to find touch. The resulting line out was fumbled by OB and new veteran Royston ‘Donk’ Grimstead gathered the loose ball to force his way over the line for a debut try which was converted by Piper. Score 10-7.
From the kick off, Captain Keck’s caught and produced the most sublime second row side step from the oncoming OB’s winger and off loaded to Piper who found space over the top to put OB on the back foot.
Several phases of play had passed with the Stags having good ball possession and from a well executed Lineout, scrum half, Sam Lewis whipped the ball to Will Hopkins, who was at pace and broke the OB line and popped to the supportive Piper who scored under the posts for a converted try 10-14. Holder’s nose was given the all clear which allowed him to return to the pitch and Flanker, Luke Gowan , was nailing anything that moved around the Park so clearly the pep talk from Michael Eavis the night before had worked.
Piper’s penalty before half time just fell short but the scoreline reflected a well deserved 1st half performance dispite two early injuries.

The second half started and the Stags conceded an early converted try 17-14. Holder went off for a second time but this being a yellow for a very dubious tip tackle and was binned for 10 mins.
OB’s took advantage of 14 men and ran in two quick consecutive try’s and a penalty pushing the score to 34-14. The stags had good territory  at the time but gaps in the back line allowed OB’s to break away.
When back to 15 men to game settled a little but only for the stag’s defence line to be broke again with the final score 41-14.

The score does not reflect the performance put in by The Stags and we go again next week with a home win against St Bernadettes. #upthepit #stags