Western Counties West
Burnham-on-Sea 17, Crediton 13

BURNHAM greatly improved their chance of remaining in Western Counties West with a penalty try in the dying moments of their game with Crediton, writes John Piper.

Most of the game's forward struggles showed that Burnham had the supremacy, especially in the scrums, which ultimately won them the match.

Burnham started the game in the ascendancy, playing most of the first 10 minutes in Crediton's half against the wind.

However a long clearing kick sent Burnham scurrying back, and they eventually conceded a penalty for offside and as Crediton possessed a kicker of prodigious ability, they found themselves 3-0 behind.

Burnham were not to be denied, though, and following a break by Tim Piper, followed up by Brandon Pettitt chasing the ball almost to the line, three quick phases found Piper again to score in the corner.

Crediton hit back almost immediately with another penalty, after Burnham were penalised for holding on, to lead 6-5.

Burnham kept up their dominance of possession and territory, and after a flowing interchange between backs and forwards, Pettitt demonstrated his strength and manoeuvrability to squirm across the line for another unconverted try that put the hosts 10-6 ahead at the break.

For the first 20 minutes of the second half, with the wind behind them, Burnham kept up the pressure, only being kept from adding to their score by either losing the ball in crucial positions or desperate defending by Crediton.

And they were punished for it, as another Burnham transgression allowed Crediton to kick a penalty deep into Burnham territory, then secure the lineout, and a few phases later their inside centre ghosted through for a 13-10 lead.

For the next 20 minutes Burnham hammered away at Crediton until, eventually, after gaining three penalties five metres out the referee rightly awarded a penalty try, which was converted by Piper, and Burnham saw out the win 17-13.

Man of the match: Luke Gowan. 

This was a hard match fought out in the best of contention by both clubs, Burnham showing that they do have the capacity to grind out a result.

It was a critical result for the home side, especially as all their closest rivals lost, and they are now 11th in the table – five points up on Bude and Crediton, and eight ahead of Wellington.

This weekend Burnham travel to Cullompton, who are second in the standings.

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THE 2nd XV game away to Martock in Somerset 2 South was cancelled by their hosts due to a waterlogged pitch.

This coming Saturday the seconds – currently sitting fourth – are at home to Somerton, who are eighth.