Western Counties West
Tiverton 10, Burnham-on-Sea 6

BURNHAM-ON-SEA RFC travelled to Tiverton to try and move off the bottom of the Western Counties West table, but it was not to be.

While they had good spells of possession they were unable to convert these into points.

Instead it was Tiverton who took their chances, with Wayne Sprangle going over for an unconverted try inside the first five minutes.

Tim Piper responded for the visitors with a penalty, but they were plagued by handling errors and, at times, poor tackling as the score remained 5-3 at half time.

A game that was low on quality saw no further points scored until the 74th minute, when Tiverton winger James Newman went over, with the try again going unconverted.

Piper kicked another penalty goal to move Burnham within four points of the hosts, but there was to be no grandstand finish as Tivvy held firm to secure a precious win.

The result leaves basement side Burnham stranded on 11 points, three points off Sidmouth and Falmouth, and seven points behind Tiverton and Crediton.

They were certainly not helped by Sidmouth picking up a surprise 26-24 victory over high-fliers Devonport Services.

Burnham can only hope that their home form is going to get them out of this quandary.

They will be looking to kick-start their bid to close the gap as they entertain mid-table Torquay Athletic this Saturday.

It is all the more important given their next two fixtures are both away games against top-half sides – Truro on December 9 and Chard on December 16.

Somerset 2 South
Burnham-on-Sea 2nds 67, Tor 2nds 15

BURNHAM 2nd XV remain third in Somerset 2 South after cruising past bottom side Tor 2nds.

They worked their way into a 36-5 lead at half time, and maintained their scoring form to take the win by a very comfortable margin.

It leaves them on 37 points, one behind second-placed Weston-super-Mare 4ths and three ahead of Winscombe 2nds in fourth.

Weston and Winscombe play each other this coming Saturday, and so there could be an opportunity for Burnham to take advantage, provided they can get a result at sixth-placed Wells 2nds.

Leaders Castle Cary are 15 points clear at the top.