Both teams have struggled so far this season, so this was always likely to be a close and edgy affair and it proved the case with the result in question right to the final whistle, but in the end Burn prevailed as they outscored their opponents by 2 tries to 1.

Eccles started well and kept control of the ball and moved deep into the Burn half and they were rewarded with an early penalty kick to take a 3 nil lead. Zac Child managed to even up the score on 7 minutes from a penalty 25 metres out. Eccles got back on track and continued to keep control of the ball, they pressured Burn, but the home team’s defence held strong and Eccles had to console themselves with another penalty kick on 17 minutes to regain the lead. However, Burn hit back again with another Zac Child penalty on 26 minutes. Penalties remained the most likely source of points, however Eccles were unable to convert a very kickable chance and the scores remained tied at 6-6 at half time.

Eccles had a further penalty kick early in the second half, but again it was missed. They were made to pay as Burn scored their first try on 50 minutes. Harry Pilkington broke out from the back of a scrum, he then fed Cameron Robinson, his good run took him to the 22 before he passed back inside but Burn were stopped short of the try line, Eccles resisted several drives for the line, however finally Ali Reay went low and hard to score in the corner. Child was unable to add the extra points. Burn scored again on 58 minutes, from a scrum in the Eccles 22 they went blind, Eccles cut down that attack, however the ball was then spread wide, a long pass from Zac Child found Matt Hughes, he tried to go around the outside, he was stopped by a high tackle, however the referee played advantage as Hughes had managed to offload to Cameron Robinson who showed good strength to go on and touchdown. The conversion was missed. After this Eccles came back at Burn and were on top for most of the remainder of the game, their cause being helped when Tony Thoma was sent to the sin bin on 60 minutes. While Burn managed to resist the initial pressure from Eccles space began to be created and when they spread the ball wide on 65 minutes Eccles found a gap to go through and score, the conversion was missed, this left the score at 16-11 to Burn. This is how the score remained to the end, this is despite heavy pressure from Eccles, the visitors thought they had scored in the corner in the dying minutes, but the referee didn’t agree and Burn just managed to hold on for the victory.

Burn will be pleased how they bounced back from last week’s defeat and also that they came back from behind in this game. The defence was back to where it usually is and when the pressure was really on they stood firm. This was a vital victory for Burn, they will hope it kick starts their season, they should take confidence from how they played and they will hope to continue to improve next week as they face a tough away game at Altrincham Kersal.