Tribute Western Counties North

Burnham 22, Cheltenham 15

BURNHAM continued from where they had left off the previous week with a strongly committed performance to overcome Cheltenham on Saturday.

Burnham recorded their first try within 20 seconds of the kick-off - Wikiteria gathered the ball from the kick-off, set off in a convincing manner, supported by Piper who timed his pass to allow Jordan Paul to show his pace by rounding the defence and scoring under the posts.

Piper converted, but unfortunately,Burnham were pegged back almost immediately by a penalty.

Ten minutes later, Burnham stole Cheltenham's line-out, which was followed by good work from McKechan and Fear, enabling the backs to create sufficient space for Paul to score out wide.

Shortly before half-time, Cheltenham created enough steady pressure to produce a scoring opportunity out wide and send the sides into the break with the score at 12-8.

Burnham kept up the intensity in the second-half, forcing Cheltenham to put in a poor clearing kick straight to Ben Gibb who powered back at the defence, brushing aside two defenders to score under the sticks.

Piper converted for 19-8, but cack came Cheltenham again - and after Burnham had conceded three penalties in the red zone they formed a successful rolling maul.

Straight from the kick-off Burnham regained the ball and after three quick phases, Cheltenham transgressed and Piper slotted home the penalty.

Burnham continued to press but were unable, mostly through handling errors, to claim the bonus point.