In an entertaining match this was,as they say,a game of 2 halves.Paignton winning the first half 14-0 and Burnham winning the second 10-19.Burnham,unfortunately produced a rather lacklustre performance over the first 40 minutes,rarely ,apart from scrummaging,showing what they were actually capable of.Both of Paignton’s converted tries were caused by slipshod tackling and somewhat desultory all round play.Howevar,after a sound talking to they came out with the bit fully between their teeth.
From the off they pressurised Paignton’s defence,easing them further and further back eventually allowing Ward to place a shrewd kick behind the cover giving Conor Howard the opportunity to display his strength and speed,burst through 2 defenders.gather the ball and touchdown. 14-5.Following a crucial lineout penalty,Burnham’s quick movement in both rucks and mauls,gaining ground enabling Tom Wall to stretch his lanky frame and cross the line.Ward converted.14-12.
With 5 minutes to go Burnham lost possess giving Paignton the chance to create and execute enough forward momentum to score out wide and then convert.21-12.
Burnham were not to be denied and almost immediately were awarded a scrum,swift hands out to Ward who executed a neat runaround move before releasing Lee Vaughan to burst through and run in from 40 metres,converted by Ward.21-19
Unfortunately for Burnham they transgressed in the final minutes and conceded a penalty 24-19.
A monumentous effort in the second half and we must take into account that by and large Burnham have a very young side,still learning what it is like to play at this level,Scrummaging was good but they must learn at the breakdown to clear out the opposition instead of scrambling for the ball,however apart from that one can only feel that this side can only get better.
Well done Burnham.
Next match Burnham face St.Ives at home kick off at 2-30pm.