Western Counties West
Sidmouth 16, Burnham-on-Sea 9

BURNHAM travelled to the Devon coast searching for the one point they needed to ensure their safety in this league for next season, writes John Piper.

Burnham kicked off with the advantage of the slope and led 6-3 at the interval after a dour but hard-fought half, thanks to two penalties from the boot of Tim Piper.

In the second half, with the advantage of the slope, Sidmouth pulled away and scored two unconverted tries through Ollie Pyne and Gavin Pearson, as well as a penalty from Tom Whelan.

Crucially, neither try was converted, and from then on Burnham shut the door, and they were eventually rewarded with a penalty on the stroke of time just outside the 22.

With everybody’s nerves jangling, including supporters’, a deathly hush descended on the ground until Piper stepped up to dispatch the kick as though it was an everyday occurrence.

The losing bonus point ensured Burnham’s survival, so a combination of joy and relief was the order of the day!

Burnham sit 12th in the table, with 45 points, ahead of their final game at home to fourth-placed Truro this Saturday (April 29).

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THE Sidmouth match was also Alan House’s last game for the club.

House captained the team to promotion to Somerset 1 in 2003, and the playing stalwart has also been heavily involved off the pitch in sponsoring the club and driving them forward.