Western Counties W
Torquay Athletic 8, Burnham-on-Sea 1st XV 5

BURNHAM arrived in Torquay in good spirits following last week’s victory over Exeter University, and hopes were high of getting that first away win of the season.

Torquay, though, came out full of vigour playing down the sloping pitch, their big forwards controlling the ball well and making it difficult for Burnham to get any possession.

Burnham did well to hold out defensively, with Ash Tucker and Matt Love making some critical tackles.

Then, out of nowhere, the Torquay fly-half produced the moment of the match with a 40-yard drop goal.

For the rest of the half, Burnham showed steady improvement with Otti Fakaosi, Matt Slater and Adam Peters beginning to get the best of the scrums and Tom Stevens and Luke Gowan prominent in the lineouts.

Sam Lewis also linked up well with fly-half Alex Watkins, who put in some really telling kicks to set up promising positions.

Torquay tackled well, however, and there was no way through for Burnham – so the score remained 3-0 at half time.

In the second half, defences continued to dominate with Kiwi Muskett and centre partner Josh Holder making some crunching tackles.

Big forwards Alan House and Fakaosi, meanwhile, made forceful runs but failed to make any clean breaks.

Eventually, after 55 minutes, Torquay scored the first try of the match when they passed the ball along the line for their left wing to go in at the corner; the conversion was missed.

Burnham kept pushing forward, with Jordan Paul making good breaks from full-back without really threatening the Torquay line.

Eventually, Burnham got into a scoring position when Alex Watkins put a penalty in touch near the Torquay line.

Burnham won the lineout and drove towards their opponents’ line, Josh Holder eventually going over for a try in the corner, again unconverted.

Late in the game, Ed Lewis came on as replacement for Brett Diver, but he only played a short part in the game as he was shown a yellow card for illegal use of the boot during a ruck.

It was a hard-fought bonus point for Burnham, who expected more from the game.

However, on on the day, the conditions and a very determined opponent proved a little too much.

***

Somerset 2S
Burnham-on-Sea 2nd XV 7, Wiveliscombe 2nd XV 0

BURNHAM entertained Wiveliscombe on a dour, dark, damp day at The BASC Ground, coming through as winners – but only just.

They responded well after a confident start by Wivey and, after five minutes, drove for the line.

Recycling twice, they sent the ball down the line with accuracy and purpose to eventually find Jake Harding, who crossed over the line.

This score was made sweeter by Piper’s conversion, and also that it was Harding who had initiated the move.

Unfortunately, from this moment, the game became very scrappy with dropped passes, wasted opportunities and serious lack of cohesion.

For the last 10 minutes, Burnham were pinned back on their own line and only a try-saving tackle from Felix Grandfield kept Burnham’s lead intact.

Burnham can play much better than this and should have had at least four more tries in the first half, but the win keeps them third in the Somerset 2S table.

Man of the match: Jake Harding.

***

ON SATURDAY, Burnham entertain St Austell in the final match before the Christmas break.

St Austell are currently ninth in Western Counties West, six points ahead of Burnham, and won the reverse fixture 29-24 in September.

Burnham 2nd XV travel to Bridgwater & Albion 3rds to bring their 2016 action to a close.

Bridgwater are 11th in Somerset 2S, and Burnham romped to a 77-3 victory in September’s meeting.