Western Counties West
Burnham 1st XV 12, Falmouth 38

AFTER a heavy rain storm on Saturday, the teams headed out on to a pitch which was, at best, slippery.

Within the first 10 minutes of the game, Burnham lost one of their key players, Gowan, to a neck injury.

Adam Peters took up the mantle and got stuck in.

In the next phase of the game, Scott Beard was yellow carded for a handless tackle in the Burnham 22 which gave a penalty try to Falmouth.

Within the next five minutes, Burnham would have conceded another try except for a knock-on as Falmouth slid over the Burnham line.

They then had a breakaway from a Falmouth scrum to take the score to 14-0.

With Scott Beard back on, from a 22 metre lineout in the Burnham half, the home side were given a penalty but they lost possession and Falmouth broke through their defence to score again.

Then, in the 36 minute, an interception in Burnham’s 22 let Falmouth score another try and, from a kick deep into Burnham’s half which was fumbled, Falmouth again pounced to make it 31-0 by the break.

The conditions were hampering Burnham’s open style of play and, by half-time, the pitch looked a bit swampish.

The oranges at half-time seemed to revive Burnham and in the first few minutes they put the pressure on.

Again and again, Falmouth’s defence proved inpenetrable as Burnham did all the donkey work to get into their 22 and were beaten back.

Then Burnham lost a player to a yellow card but this didn’t deter the home team who, through great play by Tom Stevens pulling in the Falmouth defence, saw Ryan Beard go over the line for his side’s first try.

Unfortunately, due to being a player down, Falmouth quickly replied with a try of their own.

Back to a full complement, Burnham continued to put on the pressure and were rewarded with a penalty try for their efforts in the last few minutes.

The forwards continued to work hard, gaining little reward but hats off to Falmouth’s defending.

The score didn’t really reflect the hard work and effort put in by the Burnham team, but they are now seven points adrift at the bottom.

***

BURNHAM travel to Cornwall in search of a much-needed victory on Saturday, as they take on Wadebridge Camels.

It is a tough assignment for the basement outfit, with the hosts currently sat in fourth.

Burnham 2nds host Minehead 2nds in a mid-table clash in Somerset 2 South.