Burn come up just short

Burn travelled to Wilmslow and narrowly lost 18-17.

On a dark and drizzly day this game could have gone either way, but it was the home side who came back to edge the win.

Burn got off to a dream start after a bit of a gift from Wilmslow. Burn had launched early attacks, Wilmslow had managed to clear their lines, but Leon Fifield gathered a kick, he initially ran it back, he then chipped over, a Wilmslow player should have easily gathered, but spilt it forward, the ball bounced kindly for Fifield as he took it in his stride and went on to score under the posts. Fifield then added the extra points. After this Wilmslow came back at Burn, but Burn’s defence held strong and relieved the pressure. The next chance of points fell to Burn after 25 minutes, but Leon Fifield was unable to kick a penalty. Not long after Wilmslow did successfully kick a penalty from just outside the 22. The half closed out with Burn pressuring their opponents, Corey Logan had a typically barracking run, from half way he made it to the 22, he had options outside him, but chose to try and go again himself, unfortunately he was brought down and the danger was over. The half ended with Burn in a 3-7 lead.

Wilmslow struck early in the second half from a penalty after 5 minutes. However, Burn then struck back on 51 minutes, from a 5 metre scrum Corey Logan had an initial drive for the line, he was stopped, but the ball was recycled and spread wide, as the ball reached Leon Fifield he still had plenty to do, at first it looked like he had been stopped short of the line, but he showed good strength as he managed to twist and stretch to score. He then followed it up with the conversion from out towards the touchline, making the score 6-14. Burn kept the pressure on Wilmslow, on 60 minutes Fifield had a chance to extend Burn’s lead, but he missed with his penalty attempt. Wilmslow started to turn the screw on Burn, after hacking through only a covering sliding kick from Leon Fifield saved a try. However, it did leave the home side with a 5 metre scrum and they took full advantage as they picked and went from the back and managed to crash over the try line. The conversion was missed, but they were now within 3 points of Burn. Leon Fifield extended Burn’s lead by 3 on 65 minutes following a penalty from 35 metres out. This was as good as it got for Burn as Wilmslow took the lead on 71 minutes after a penalty try. From a catch and drive the home side went to inches of the line, Burn were penalised, Wilmslow took a quick tap and were illegally stopped by Burn resulting in a penalty try and Alex Evans being shown a yellow card. Burn did try and come back at their opponents, but failed in their attempts, a late sin bin for Tom Lavelle didn’t help as Burn just couldn’t get any further points and the hosts held out to win 18-17.

This game showed Burn can challenge those at the top end of the league, however this won’t be too much comfort for Burn as they had a real chance to win this game, but could only come away with a losing bonus point. Games are won and lost on small margins, had Burn made some better decisions or held on to the ball, had they not had as many injuries during the game then they might have been the ones who edged the win. Burn are back at Ramsgreave Drive as they welcome St. Benedicts.