Burnham finally produce a performance they have been promising.
The stags went into this game on the back of an unbeaten month which included 2 away wins and with yatton on the back of a poor run themselves the stags were full of confidence.
Playing with the slope and a strong wind Burnham knew they had to build a score line to use that advantage.
Yatton started the strongest using the ball well and strong carries from their 13 and 8 kept them in burnhams half, but some resilient defending and crucial turnovers pushed yatton back down to their 22.
Winning a penalty and kicking to the corner the forwards set up what is now a strong weapon for them in the shape of a maul.
Driving the opposition to the line Tim Piper sniped from the back to go over. 0-5
From the kick off which Burnham are now dealing with with great confidence power runs from Adam Peters and phases got the blue hoops back into the 22 and from resulting phases and their number 4 being penalised for not rolling (which won’t be the first time) inspirational captain Ross Cameron called for posts and piper duly obliged. 0-8
From now you could sense that Burnham had some confidence building and again from the resulting kick off Jude Donnelly set off on a barnstorming run falling just short quick recycle at the ruck from Sam Lewis to piper who then gave it to Joshua Holder who was lurking out wide to score in the corner. 0-13
Yatton then got control of the game and had ball for a good 10 mins testing burnhams defence using the width of the pitch and their pacey back 3. Stand out tackles from Russ Pike Ryan Beard Alex Watkins kept them at bay.
Burnhams defence in this game was as good to watch as their attacking play.
5 mins to go before half-time they got their 3rd try after good work down the wing from Alex Watkins (we won’t mention the easier pass alex) saw Tom Stevens go over 0-20
The final passage of play before the halftime whistle saw yatton spread burnhams defence from one side to the other and it looked an almost certain try for them until Ryan beard from all the way the other side of the pitch made a try line saving tackle with the aid of veteran pike. A crucial moment of any game is right before half-time and this shows the commitment and what it now means to be a part of the squad.
Coach kevs message at the interval was to be more direct keep ball and hard line runners.
Samuel Wall came on for James Havercroft who’s game has gone from strength to strength certainly in defence and lineout, to then bring on Sam who’s like for like in defence and then add to that his breakdown work and ball carrying it makes a great impact player which showed within the 1st 30secs as he won a penalty.
The second half was an outstanding 40 minutes of rugby from the stags.
Offloads of the ball, supporting runners, big ball carriers, quick hands and more importantly quick rucks.
Jude got himself onto the score sheet with a try after a bulldozing run from Sam.
0-27
Piper then got himself a double from a quick tap classic show and go to score.
0-34
Yatton responded well with a try.
Injuring Josh in the process so young Eoghan Westhoff came on to play in the centre and showed his strength and class again out there even though he’s a back rower.
The next score was the try of the game.
New signing Sam Chillingworth broke about 4 tackles to break free then set off chipping the fullback and get caught just short of the line. From the ruck Stefan Pierce smashed his way over. 7-39
Again yatton hit back out wide but credit to eoghan for his commitment to make sure they scored there trying to chase him down.
Next up scoring was eoghan after again great play from man of the match Birkan Gündüz who smashed, rucked and even showed and went himself a few times throughout the game. What a player he’s going to be.
Eoghan finished it in the corner assisted by Jude
12-46
The final act of this enthralling game went to Tom Wall who with his giraffe legs powered over to score. 12-51
A game where all the hard work from training has paid off but still an awful lot to improve.
Credit to coach Kevin innalls for sticking with his style of play from last season and pushing the lads in training.
A special mention to Royston Grimstead who sat on the bench but told Ross to only use him if needed.
Try scorers
Tim piper x2
Jude Donnelly
Eoghan westhoff
Stefan pierce
Tom wall
Tom Stevens
Josh holder
Conversions Tim piper x4
Penalties x1
Man of match Birkan gunduz sponsored by Somerset leisure ( Henry Bigwood )
No game next weekend.
#upthestags 🔵⚪🔵⚪🏉🏉🦌🦌🦌