Burnham keep their composure against Matson and record another home victory.

BURNHAM entertained high-flying Matson knowing that they had to step up their tackling and their discipline.

The tackling was considerably improved along with discipline, so much so, that it was their opponents who lost their composure.

Burnham’s pack, at times reduced Matson to a disorganised shambles, driving them back in set pieces, harrassing them in the loose and with the backs willing to hunt down any loose ball, Burnham were able to match Matson in all aspects of the game.

Burnham started brightly and forced Matson to concede a penalty for offside after just five minutes, Cooper slotting home the kick.

For the rest of the half, neither side could gain a breakthrough and Burnham had to wait for 15 minutes of the second half to pass before an attempted clearing kick from Matson was charged down and then snaffled by Bobby Hewlett to scorch past his opposite number and cross the line, Cooper again adding the extras for a 10-0 lead.

Burnham cranked up their effort and after some driving movement between backs and forwards, the ball went to Spelman to shake off his tacklers, offload to Pike to make further ground before recycling so that Tuttiett and Sam Coles could produce a well-executed move with Coles crossing the line for the final score.

This was a real team effort, which showed that Burnham at home are a dangerous side to play against. On Saturday, Burnham are away to North Bristol, kick-off 2.30pm.

Burnham 2nd XV 27 pts

North Petherton 5 pts

Burnham Seconds travelled to North Petherton and came away with an impressive victory.

Burnham got off to a good start, when the ball was moved through the hands of Lee Berry and George Scott to land in Will Conway’s hands, enabling him to touch down.

From a turnover in Petherton’s 10 metre area, Tiny Rees passed to Nick McKen who passed to scrum-half Lee Berry and he set up Mike Whitfield for the second try.

A quick move by Berry allowed Josh to cross the line by the left post. There was some fine tackles were put in by Nick McKen, George Scott, Glen Cutter, Ryan Jones and Chris Jones and this paid off when Whitfield drove deep into the Petherton midfield and was supported by Jones, McKen and Rees ending with Will Conway crossing to make the score 24-0 at half-time.

After the break, substitutions were made, with Mike Smith, Paul and Ed Lewis all coming on. Petherton scored in the mid stages of the second half. Burnham replied with a late penalty by Conway.