With the season in its closing stages Burn’s injury list is at its highest which resulted in Burn fielding a young side against Burnage, however the young guns didn’t let anyone down. While Burn may have lost the game, it was a close affair and in the second half when it looked like Burnage would comfortably pull away, Burn rallied and came back at their opponents and in the end they just narrowly lost.

The sun was shining at Ramsgreave Drive and promoted an open game of rugby. Burn managed to get some early ball in hand, however Burnage broke away and were the first ones to threaten the try line, but Burn managed to drag them down short, however on 6 minutes Burnage scored the first points with a penalty. Burn managed to get some more ball again and on 17 minutes thought they had a try, however they were pulled back for a forward pass. Soon after Phil Baines was close to scoring, but the ball just spilled out of his grasp. Burn kept the pressure on and were rewarded on 20 minutes with a try following a catch and drive with Rhys Morgan at the bottom of the pile as Burn crashed over the line. Lawrence Nelson added the conversion. Burnage hit back within 4 minutes as they worked their way up the pitch before the forwards rumbled over, the conversion was added and they now led 7-10. This time it was Burn who hit back as they had their second try and conversion on 29 minutes, on this occasion Ed Sinclair barged through the defensive line to dive and score. Nelson added the extra points and Burn led 14-10. As the half ended Burnage were on top, they were first held up over the line, but soon they scored as they pulled Burn from one side to the other creating gaps in the home sides defence. The conversion was kicked and Burnage went in at half time 14-17 up.

Burnage started the second half as they finished the first and had a try on 46 minutes, from a 5 metre scrum they got a drive on before the number 8 picked and went low to score. On 53 minutes Burn narrowed the gap with a penalty kick from Lawrence Nelson. Burn were the ones pressing for another score, but then Burnage broke out as the centre cut through the Burn defence before passing to the winger who scored in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Burnage now had a 10 point lead. At this point it wouldn’t have been a surprise if the visitors had pulled away from Burn, however Burn came back again at Burnage, but small mistakes just prevented some scores. Nelson had a long distance shot at goal from a penalty, but it came up short. On 70 minutes Burnage had a man sent to the bin, from the resulting penalty Lawrence Nelson closed the points gap by 3 points. Burn kept the pressure up and on 77 minutes they scored in the corner after a strong run from Jonny Walter, he was hauled down short of the line, but then just managed to stretch and score. Nelson was unable to kick the conversion and despite Burn’s best efforts the game ended with Burnage winning 25-27.

Despite the loss Burn showed good spirit and for the younger players it is a vital learning curve which they will benefit from in the future. Burn face another tough test next week as they travel to Northwich.