RUGBY: Burnham-on-Sea defeat Sidmouth in Western Counties West clash

BURNHAM claimed their first win of the season on Saturday, a vital victory over bottom side Sidmouth.

At last Burnham produced a performance worth waiting for, as tight scrummaging, good lineout work and constant interplay between backs and forwards provided a more than adequate supply of quality ball.

After Sidmouth fly-half Dan Retter kicked an early penalty, Tim Piper’s sleight of hand set up Richard Muskett for a try under the posts, converted by Piper.

Retter’s boot moved the visitors back ahead, 9-7, but just before half time the home forwards took a scrum against the head and quick hands saw Piper dive over in the corner for 12-9.

After the interval, Piper and Retter exchanged penalties, but the next 20 minutes were decisive, as constant pressure from the hosts brought two pushover tries for Ross McKechan, both converted by Piper to make it 29-12.

And from the kick-off Sidmouth were fooled by the wind, an awkward bounce allowing Muskett and Piper to set up Sam Everett to power through and wrap it up.

The away side scored a late consolation try, but this was a very satisfactory performance from Burnham, for whom Chris Warner was match of the match.

This Saturday sees Burnham travel to Paignton, who are just two places and four points ahead in the table, and so they will be looking for a similar level of performance in another vital match.

Somerset 2 South
Bridgwater & Albion 3rds 26, Burnham-on-Sea 2nds 39

BURNHAM’S 2nd XV are engaged in a very different kind of struggle, as they jostle for position at the top of Somerset 2 South.

They sit third in the standings after coming away from Bridgwater & Albion 3rds with maximum points.

A youthful Burnham side brought pace and power to the match, dominating Bridgwater’s heavier and more experienced pack.

Good first phase ball set the platform for a series of rapid attacks that breached the Bridgwater defence, while clever tactical kicking kept the hosts pinned back in their own half.

Several handling errors in the blustery conditions led to some frustration for the visitors, and therefore unnecessary penalties which kept the home side in the game.

Bridgwater succeeded in narrowing the gap in the second half, but Burnham held onto their lead, and by the final whistle they had seven tries and two conversions.

On Saturday, Burnham’s 2nds host 12th-placed Martock (ko 2.30pm).