Western Counties West
Burnham-on-Sea 19, Crediton 10

BURNHAM-ON-SEA, at last, secured a much-needed win in a thrilling match at the BASC Ground on Saturday.

The home team started with possibly their strongest side yet, in a confident manner.

After being awarded three successive penalties, with their scrum dominating the set-piece, the ball was whipped out to Tim Piper to scramble over on the blind side.

Directly from the kick-off, Burnham caught and then went through many phases before Piper popped on the blind side again, creating enough space before releasing Scott Beard to race home from 20 metres.

Piper converted for a 12-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes.

However, Crediton were not to be denied and, within the next 15 minutes, they exerted constant pressure on Burnham, resulting in two unconverted tries scored by Phil Holmes and Dan Yeandle to reduce the deficit to just two points.

For 20 minutes of the second half, neither side would budge, until Burnham secured a lineout inside Crediton’s 22 and completed four successful phases before Piper was adjudged to have been held up.

From the following scrum, Burnham’s power created an opportunity for McKechan to pick up and then send Sammy Lewis into the gap to score what would ultimately prove to be the winning try, which Piper converted to move his side nine points ahead of the visitors.

For the rest of the match, Crediton gave it their all but Burnham’s defence was sound, and their attack was narrowly denied a fourth try for the bonus point.

This was a pulsating game from both sides and a credit to the standard of rugby in this league.

Burnham have the ability to pull themselves out of their dilemma, providing they can play the same way for the rest of the season.

They stay at the foot of the table, but just six points separate the bottom five teams, so it’s all to play for.

Man of the match: Tom Stevens

Burnham 1st XV are away to Devonport on Saturday, while the 2nd XV (who remain second in Somerset 2 South after winning 41-21 at Chard 2nds last weekend) entertain Winscombe in a local derby.

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ON Friday, January 12 the club is holding a free curry night for past, present and new players in the age ranges 15, 16 and 17.

The event is designed to attract those age groups into or back into playing rugby, as those ages are the most likely to drop out of the game.

Parents and players, new and old, are invited to the event at the BASC Ground from 7pm.