Tribute Western Counties North

Coney Hill 27, Burnham 13

BURNHAM face a final day battle for survival against Keynsham on Saturday, after defeat at league leaders Coney Hill plunged them back into the relegation mixer.

A spirited performance in Gloucestershire saw Burnham compete with their already promoted opponents, but they now face a three-way shootout to avoid the drop, with North Bristol and Bristol Saracens also at risk of being relegated for Western Counties North.

Burnham travelled to Gloucester to face the league leaders, who needed just one more win to claim the league title.

The visitors did not give in easily and apart from a ten-minute lapse after half-time were right up there with the opposition.

Burnham opened the scoring after ten minutes after a well executed penalty lineout. Following a determined struggle with the opposing pack, they found enough strength to push over Coney Hill with Luke Gowan claiming the try for a 0-5 advantage.

Five minutes later Coney Hill replied in similar fashion with their number eight peeling off and crashing over for 5-5.

Burnham were not setback by this and after Coney Hill transgressed Piper kicked a penalty to make the score 5-8.

On the stroke of half-time Coney Hill were awarded a penalty and from the ensuing lineout repeated the same move as for their first try to make the score 10-8 at half-time.

Burnham seemed to lose their way for a while, allowing Coney Hill to run in three tries, leaving Burnham trailing 27-8.

But Burnham did not drop their heads and spent the rest of the match in Coney Hill's half pressing until eventually, with a carbon copy of their first try, Gowan claimed his second try to make the score 27-13.

For the rest of the game Burnham tried their hardest, even when they were down one man through injuries, but they could not claim a bonus losing point.

It was a heroic effort from Burnham and if they beat Keynsham on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), they will avoid relegation.