Burnham held out for a draw against Avon in a proverbial game of two halves.

Burnham 17 pts

Avon 17 pts

THIS was a proverbial game of two halves, with Burnham hanging on to earn a draw.

In the first-half, Burnham continued from where they left off, with a controlled spell which saw them take the lead at the break.

Avon took the lead when they got good possession from a penalty line-out, set up an efficient maul and trundled over for a try.

Burnham immediately replied with Kiwi Muskett regaining the ball from the kick-off and passed out to Pike, who realised he had a faster man outside him, drew the defence, so that Ben Gibb could cross the line. Tim Piper added the conversion for the lead.

Burnham continued to press, forcing Avon into errors and after a couple of penalty line-outs went wrong, Avon transgressed again, giving Piper the chance to add three more points.

Just before half-time, Burnham fashioned a well-worked try. Good support after two phases gave Lewis time to feed Piper, then on to Ross McKechan, who produced two delightful dummies and slipped the ball inside for Jordan Wikiteria to charge in under the posts, Piper adding the extras for a 17-5 half-time lead.

The second period was a reversal of the first and even Burnham’s fine defending could not keep Avon out, eventually conceding a penalty try and a further try out wide, which luckily for Burnham, Avon’s conversion attempt hit the post enabling Burnham to hang on for two valuable points.

Head coach Graham Buller was pleased with most of Burnham’s first-half, but said they need to develop more of a killer instinct when they get opportunities.

Burnham’s next match is away to Barton Hill on January 31.

Burnham 2nd XV 0 pts

Wells 22 pts

THE seconds travelled to Wells on the back of a credible performance against Morganians last week, but struggled to get going.

The early exchanges saw Burnham exerting all the pressure, but were unable to release the backs. As it was, it was Wells who took the lead when their centre ran from halfway for a converted try.

Burnham replied with much the same, but failed to finish off some good work, with a forward pass robbing Elliot Donnelly of a certain score.

Nevertheless, Burnham stuck to the task before Wells were able to exploit gaps in the visitors’ defence and break in and score.

The second half started much as the last had ended with Burnham exerting pressure, but it was Wells who ran in another try.

Despite this, stalwart efforts were being put in by Chris Warner, Adam Peters, Jake Allen and Lewis Dodge. Despite some promising carries from Will Conway and Alex Watkin Burnham could not make any headway.

A special mention goes to Jake Harding on his second team debut, who gave a creditable account of himself.