Burnham 7, Hornets 10

A SPIRITED display from Burnham II wasn’t enough to prevent them slipping to a 10-7 defeat to local rivals Hornets.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Burnham’s heroic defence kept Hornets out for much of the first half.

With the weather dictating how the game would be played, Hornets hammered away at Burnham with long kicks into the 22 and powerful forward play.

The pressure eventually told and Hornets crossed for their first try with another powerful surge.

As the half drew to a close, Burnham were camped down in the visitors half and went close to levelling things up, only to be denied by the referee.

With the tables reversed it was Burnham’s turn to excerpt the same pressure that they had sustained very well in the first half.

With Burnham in control of the play and the visitors shoring up the Burnham onslaught, still the try eluded the home side.

With every man thrown into the assault, Hornets broke out and made ground deep into the Burnham half only held out at this stage by Matt Mitchell and Ryan Reynolds.

But from the resulting play, Hornets scored their second to extend their lead.

Ryan Reynolds smashed his way over to give Burnham a sniff of getting a result, but the whistle rescued Hornets.

Burnham II next game is away to Ivel Barbarians on February 8.