RUGBY: Burnham-on-Sea lose out away to Chard in Western Counties West

BURNHAM-ON-SEA’S long wait for an away win in the league goes on, as Chard ran in eight tries on Saturday to keep their visitors stuck at the bottom of the Western Counties West table.

The away side made a bright start, but the hosts found their rhythm and opened the scoring in the 26th minute, when Luke Hill crossed for a try.

That seemed to deflate the Seasiders, as they conceded two more tries before the interval, scored by Liam Mustchin and Max Gosden.

That dominance carried on into the second half, as Tom Monaghan scored the bonus-point try.

The visitors finally got on the board when Chard lost the ball in the tackle and Ryan Beard raced in from halfway for an unconverted try to make it 28-5.

But three more tries followed for the hosts, from Joe Mainwaring, Ryan Helliar and Ryan Wingate.

Although Burnham hit back with a Jake Harding score, converted by Lee Vaughan, it was the home side who had the final word as Ross Colenso went over at the death.

Charlie Roberts converted five of the eight tries as Chard won by an emphatic 50-12 scoreline.

The result leaves Burnham at the foot of the league standings at Christmas, four points adrift after second-bottom Falmouth won 19-17 at home to Tiverton.

Tiverton, who are third from bottom, are eight points ahead of Burnham, for whom January 6’s match with Crediton (one point ahead of Tiverton) looks pivotal for their survival hopes.