RUGBY: Burnham-on-Sea ease past Tor

THE Stags were on song on Saturday, in an emphatic win over Tor at the BASC Ground, writes Lee Berry.

The victory stretches this season’s unbeaten run to 12 league games - and 21 when taking into consideration the back end of last season.

This is a milestone the club has never experienced before, so long may it continue.

Burnham made an impact right from the kick-off and pinned Tor back in their own 22.

The ball was recycled from a ruck and fed out along the Stags backline, which had a three-man overlap; George Goodall scored and Tim Piper converted.

From the restart, Tor felt the force of the home side and found themselves on the back foot.

The away side defended valiantly for a while but, gaining momentum, the hosts punched holes in the Tor defence with Jude Donnelley managing to score close to the posts for 14-0.

Tor’s defence was dogged at times, but they lacked creativity with ball in hand, while Burnham’s scrummaging was firm throughout against a larger pack.

One scrum produced quick ball for scrum-half Sam Lewis, who fed Will Hopkins at fly-half, along to Rich Muskett, then Josh Holder, who forced his way through to score, with Piper adding the conversion just before half-time.

The second half started in similar fashion, and Lewis spotted captain Ross McKechan galloping from deep.

He received the pass from Lewis and crashed through a couple of Tor defenders to score and seal the bonus point.

Several minutes later, Holder chased a chip forward, gathered and fed Adam Peters, who crossed the line.

Soon after the restart, the experience of Piper, with captain McKechan in support, saw the pair dance through and pass several times, waltzing into the Tor 22.

The ball was recycled and Hopkins came up trumps to add more misery for the visitors; Piper converted.

Further tries came from Ryan Beard on the wing and prop Stefan Pierce, who claimed the eighth try of the game shortly before the final whistle.

This Saturday, Burnham 1st XV visit Wells, while Burnham 2nds - who lost 56-0 at home to Wiveliscombe 2nds last weekend - travel to Wyvern, in Taunton, for their Somerset 2 South fixture.