Western Counties North

Burnham 15, Keynsham 10

BURNHAM secured their Western Counties League status with a dramatic final day victory over Keynsham at the BASC on Saturday.

Beau Dickens crossed for the winning try ten minutes from time, as Burnham fought back from 7-3 down to seal a nail biting win for the hosts.

Henry Bigwood's try on the hour mark kick-started the comeback, while five points from the reliable boot of Tim Piper ensured there was no way back for Keynsham.

Burnham kicked off with the elements in their favour and within three minutes of kick-off Keynsham were caught napping, enabling Tim Piper - playing his last game for Burnham's first XV - to knock over a penalty for a 3-0 lead.

For the next 30 minutes, the Keynsham back began to dominate and were rewarded with a penalty try after Burnham's third offence in the red zone.

After half-time, Burnham looked to keep the ball in hand - and after 20 minutes of pressure, a clean lineout and after two quick phases saw Henry Bigwood slip into a gap and score under the posts - Piper converted for 10-7.

But Keynsham instantly replied with a penalty to draw level, before the match had to resort to uncontested scrums when two of Burnham's props were injured and unable to continue.

With the game see-sawing, Burnham soon struck the killer blow - after being awarded a scrum seven metres out, Wikiteria picked up at the base before releasing Beau Dickens to crash over.

What followed was a ten-minute spell of heroic Burnham defending, to keep Keynsham at bay.

The final whistle sparked celebrations in the Burnham camp and ensured they would be competing in the Western Counties League again next season.

Not particularly a classic, but the result was what mattered and every man in Burnham's

squad stood up to be counted.