Burn better but lose again

Burn’s recent tough run of games continued as they lost 14-28 to Carlisle.

Carlisle arrived at Ramsgreave Drive top of the table and left the same, however Burn didn’t allow them to have it all their own way, in the end the winning margin was 14 points, but Burn will feel unlucky not to have got something from the game.

From the start Carlisle built pressure on Burn as they retained the ball and moved Burn side to side, however Burn’s defence held up well and restricted their opponents to just a penalty from 35 metres out on 11 minutes. After this much was in the middle of the pitch, but Carlisle were looking the most dangerous, but Burn’s defence continued to blunt their attacks. The home sides resilience was rewarded on 29 minutes as they scored the first try of the game, Burn had made their way into the Carlisle half, a barging run by Corey Logan broke the first line of defence, Burn recycled the ball and it found it’s way to Jack Swarbrick his break put the Cumbrian side on the back foot, as he reached 10 metres out he passed back inside to Jamie Brookes who ran on to score under the posts. Leon Fifield added the extra points. On 36 minutes Carlisle hit back with their own try and conversion, they kept possession and finally Burn’s defence gave way. Just before half time Carlisle extended their lead by 3 points, making the score 7-13 at the break.

At the start of the second half Carlisle were putting the pressure on Burn, but yet again the Burn defence held strong, although Carlisle did kick another penalty on 46 minutes. Burn came close to a try on 58 minutes, first Corey Logan broke through, then Sam Gale made further yards, Burn continued to retain possession and in the end were just stopped short of the try line, but they were stopped illegally resulting in a yellow card for a Carlisle back rower. Burn elected to take a scrum from the penalty, Burn went blind and eventually the ball found its way out wide where Jamie Brookes went over for his second try. The conversion was excellently converted by Leon Fifield to make the score 14-16. On 65 minutes Carlisle hit back, they kicked a penalty to the corner, they caught, the initial drive stalled, but they went again and went over to score. The conversion was kicked taking the score to 14-23. Carlisle scored again on 33 minutes, Burn tried to run out of their 22, Josh Reilly was tackled on the edge of the 22, as he placed the ball back his support was slow in arriving, this enabled a Carlisle man to go through and pick up the ball and go on to score, this was a major blow to Burn especially as there appeared to be a knock on as the Carlisle player reached for the ball. As the minutes ticked away Burn pushed for a try to salvage a losing bonus point, but despite coming close their efforts went unrewarded and the game ended 14-28.

This was Burn’s third loss in a row which has seen them drop down the league standings, however following a very poor display last week, this week saw an all-round improvement, on the whole they defended well against a good Carlisle team and had a couple more things gone their way it would have been a closer game. Next week there is a break in the league fixtures as Burn travel away to play Burnage in the cup.