Friendly match
Burnham United 3, Burnham-on-Sea RFC 4

BURNHAM RFC finally ended their long wait for an away victory on New Year’s Eve.

Unfortunately it was in a fundraising friendly and the wrong sport, but it was still fantastic for team morale and boosted the hosts after their recent break-in.

The rugby team were hit by the withdrawal of two of their more talented players – Tim Piper (whose son was born four days early) and Stumpy Howson.

Despite this, they were still able to boast three or four capable footballers (and also had the advantage of having one more player on the pitch for much of the game).

Most of the visiting players would have been happy just to make a game of it, and with 15 minutes played it was still goalless... but five minutes later, it was 2-0 to the home side.

Sam Everett then forced a good stop out of the United keeper, the ball ricocheted back to him and he squared to Chris Warner, who missed the open goal and ended up on his backside.

But, just moments later, they were handed another opportunity to get back into the game with the award of a penalty, and Teddy Lewis lashed it in.

With half time looming, Burnham RFC were in dreamland as Ryan Dicko broke the shackles of Russell Holley and blasted one home from inside the box to level.

Following the restart, United edged ahead again, but the away side continued to probe.

Ryan Beard, moved from right-back to up front, picked the ball up on the edge of the box and bent the ball into the top corner for 3-3.

D. Nick performed admirably in goal for the visitors, and with 10 minutes left they took a shock lead, as Lee Vaughan whipped a free-kick into the box and it found the net via a deflection.

The hosts piled forward to try and save the game, but the rugby boys manned the trenches and Nick made another fine save to keep his side ahead.

The final whistle brought wild celebrations from the underdogs, who had finally broken their away duck.

All the players went back to the clubhouse for a well-deserved drink after a very successful fundraiser.

And Burnham RFC raise a toast to Holly and Tim Piper on the arrival of their, as yet, unnamed son.