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U-17 rugby: Burnham 15, Nailsea & Backwell 0

FOR their last game of the season, Burnham Under Under-17s went out determined to play to their very best, going for a third successive victory.

They started much the better, with strong tackling driving Nailsea back towards their own line. After 15 minutes, following quick turnover ball in the Nailsea 22 and good passing from Mark Peters to Mat House, a short inside ball sent Ben Gibb over at full pace for the first try.

Nailsea started to come in to the game more, with some good driving from their pack, but tended to kick the ball away to much. This played into Burnham's hands, with House, Gibb, Huxs, Cooper and Ashwell ,all making lots of ground.

Burnham lost some scrum balls against the head, surprising because their pack is so heavy, and Nailsea also took some good line-out ball off Burnham in important areas of the pitch.

Using their big forwards to drive the ball upfield, Burnham started a rolling maul towards the Nailsea line and with the defence sucked in, quick hands from Peter sent Huxs over on the blind side for a try, converted by Gibb .

With Burnham starting to control all areas of the game, they added a penalty goal at the final play through Gibb.

This was one of the best games of the season, between two good sides. Nailsea never stopped trying, but Burnham were just a little stronger on the day.

The Burnham pack comprised Gaylard, Hocking, Coles, Rayner, "Horse" Bonell, Ashwell, "The Goat" Gowan, Cavill and "Pikey". Back were House, Gibb, Huxs, Bigwood, "Wee Man" and Cooper. Everyone played well, but man of the match went to Ben Gibb for a great try and many pin-point penalty kicks, some of which went more than 50 metres.

U-17 Tour: Falmouth 0, Burnham 5

THE first match of Burnham Under-17s' Cornish tour was played on a sodden pitch. Falmouth began with a sustained period of pressure, mainly through their very capable forwards, but Burnham defended valiantly.

Gowan, Streeter and Holder all played their part in thwarting the Cornish attacks. Burnham began to exert some pressure of their own, with fly-half House putting in some huge clearing kicks which Bonnel and Gibb were only too eager to chase.

Man mountain "Horse" blasted some big holes and hooker Hocking played his usual scavenging role. The teams were evenly matched in the forwards, but conditions did not favour the backs, which was where Burnham had the superior players. The first half ended with no score.

Burnham made several changes during the interval so that all 22 of the tour members would enjoy playing time. They played up the slope and against a strong wind, as rain began to fall.

As the game ebbed and flowed, due to the conditions, it was not festival rugby, but totally absorbing nevertheless. Burnham lost Gowan to a neck injury and both sides had a man sin-binned for a non-rugby incident.

Sam Coles captained well, urging his troops to greater efforts and they all responded magnificently. Falmouth equalled their visitors' efforts and it seemed that no one would score.

With time almost up, Burnham were awarded a scrum just outside the Falmouth 22, which the excellent referee, said would be the final play of the game. Peters fed House, who passed to Gibb then on to Holder, five metres from the line. He blasted into and through the defences for the only score of the match.

Gowan returned from hospital with the all-clear and it was good to see Falmouth players accompanying the tourists for a night out.

Saltash 5, Burnham 65

FOLLOWING a slightly over-enthusiastic celebration of the previous day's victory, Burnham travelled to Saltash for the second and final fixture of the tour. The first quarter saw a multitude of mistakes from them. Centre Gibb kicked a simple penalty, but Saltash scored the first try following a five-metre scrum.

This provided Burnham with the incentive to launch an all-out assault on the home line. Second row Ben Rayner barged over from ten metres and this was followed by scores from House (2), Gibb and Joden. Gibb added four conversions to give Burnham a 41-5 lead at half time.

Saltash battled hard but had no answer to the power of Burnham's forwards with Gaylard, Boobyer, Everet and "Mossy" all having good games. Forward domination provided a stream of quality ball for Burnham's dangerous backs, who took full advantage.

Fly-half House kicked the ball miles and when he passed, Gibb, Joden, Cooper and the busy Will Hemmings combined well to shred the home defence. Tries by Cooper, "Horse", Gibb and poacher Bonnel, with a further two conversions, completed the rout. Saltash were glad to hear the final whistle.

The margin of victory was testament to the power and quality of the tourists' play and it was a fitting end to a successful tour.

n Thanks go to Mark Watkins, for his hard work organising the tour, and also to John Morgan, Steve Cooper and Mike Peters, who were brave enough to help chaperone 22 lively 17-year-olds. The tourists must be congratulated not only for the standard of their rugby but also for their behaviour while representing Burnham on this very enjoyable tour.

8:23pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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