Manchester had won their last four games, so Burn knew they would be in for a tough game, but from the start Burn took control and were able to maintain that control for much of the match, which enabled them to score six tries to secure a bonus point victory.

A drop goal from Ockert Erasmus after just 4 minutes got Burn up and running. Manchester tried to respond, they made it into the Burn 22, but lost control of the ball and Burn cleared the danger. The first try of the game for Burn came on 15 minutes, from a penalty they kicked to the corner, they caught and drove with Ed Sinclair in control of the ball as Burn crashed over the line. Phil Baines added the conversion to make the score 10-0. The next try followed shortly after, Corey Logan’s powerful run broke through the Manchester defensive line, he made 20 yards before being hauled down, Burn kept possession and went through several phases, Ben Corless and Rob Bramhall made some more yards, the ball then found its way back to Logan who made more ground, before passing back inside to Ben Corless who showed a good turn of pace to run in from 20 metres out. The conversion was missed. Just before the half hour mark Burn had their third try, Manchester had tried to run the ball out of their 22, Burn initially held the player up, Jamie Brookes then managed to rip the ball, he saw a gap straight ahead and seized his chance to outpace the retreating defenders to score on his full debut. Phil Baines added the extra points to make the score 22-0. Baines extended the Burn lead with a penalty on 33 minutes. As the half closed out Manchester had their best chance to score, their left winger made a good break and was within a metre of the try line before Ockert Erasmus made an excellent try saving tackle. This left the half time score at 25 nil to Burn.

The start of the second half was a little flat, with neither team able to come close to points, the only spark was a break from Marc Maher, but the final pass didn’t go to hand. Just after 50 minutes Burn got a good shove on from a Manchester put in to a scrum 5 metres from their own line, their number 8 was put on the backfoot enabling Jamie Brookes to drag him over his own try line resulting in a 5 metre attacking scrum for Burn. From the scrum Burn’s initial drive for the line was stopped, several attempts were made to cross the line, but Manchester defended well, until Joe Rowntree found Corey Logan in space who had the easy task of falling over the line to secure the bonus point for Burn. Ockert Erasmus kicked the conversion. Manchester then managed an almost immediate response, they first dragged Burn to the right and passed back out wide and they deservedly scored in the left-hand corner. The conversion was missed. Burn didn’t allow their opponents anymore chances after this and they scored their fifth try on 69 minutes. Burn turnover the ball just outside their 22, Corey Logan made the initial break, he the popped it to Craig Dootson who took play into the Manchester half before passing to Ryan Barrett, he then just showed enough pace to out run the covering defenders. The conversion was missed. Burn still had enough time for their sixth try, this time it was Ryan Barrett returning the favour to Craig Dootson, Barrett made a break from his own half, he then offloaded to Dootson who ran on to score by the posts. Ockert Erasmus added the conversion, to make the score 44-5 and this is how the game ended.

This victory took Burn to third in the league, which is the highest position in their history, the players, coaches and support staff should be proud of all they have achieved so far this season. Burn have another week off next Saturday, before they travel up to Carlisle on 3rd March.