HP had started the day at the top of the table after an impressive start to the season, however it was Burn who threatened most throughout the game, in the end the score was close, but Burn would have been disappointed if they had not won the game, as bar a 10 minute spell the away side had the upper hand for much of the game.

Burn had a strong wind behind them in the first half, they stated well by pinning HP in their own 22, Burn went through several phases of play with the forwards inching onward until Alex Evans managed to bundle over the try line after 8 minutes. The conversion was missed, but Burn had an early lead. The rain proved to be tricky for both teams, with numerous spills preventing any sustained pressure. The best Burn got was a wide penalty kick at goal, however Sam Morgan was unable to convert. HP were living a little on scraps with a hack through to Burn’s 22 being a rare highlight. Burn did think they had scored another try from a quick line out, however play was taken back as a HP player had touched the ball prior to the line out. On 33 minutes HP had their best phase of the game so far, after they caught and drove from 30 metres out taking play into their opponents 22, however Burn defended well and stole the ball. After this Sam Morgan missed another penalty kick at goal. Burn ended the half strongly, they looked like they had scored after the forwards had bundled over the line, but the referee adjudged that they had been held up. From the resulting 5 metre scrum the ball was passed out to the backs, Marc Maher powered forward before being helped by the forwards, then Josh Thundercliffe spotted a hole through the HP forwards and he kept low and stretched to score. This time Sam Morgan slotted the extra 2 points. This was the last play of the half leaving Burn with a 12 nil lead at the break.

Burn started quite brightly at the start of the second half, aided by the rain stopping and the wind easing a little, however HP were the first to score on 52 minutes and this was the start of their best passage of play and it rattled Burn. From a 5 metre scrum HP’s number 8 went blind and fed his winger who scored in the corner. The conversion was missed, however they scored their second try within a couple of minutes. HP had pushed Burn bag into their 22 from a well angled kick, Burn tried to take a quick line out, but they got caught and turned over and HP scored in the corner. The conversion was missed again, but HP were in touching distance of Burn. The away side were struggling to get out their own half and on 60 minutes HP took the lead following a penalty kick from 40 metres out. At this point the game was finely balanced with HP looking the more confident, however it was Burn who sparked into life. On 74 minutes Adam Stubbs had a strong run from outside the 22, he reached 5 metres out, it looked like he could get to the line, he cut inside, but he was stopped short of the line. Then from a 5 metre scrum Jordan Pearson picked, drove and twisted to touch down and give Burn a further 5 points. The conversion was missed, but Burn were back in front as they led 17-13. After this Burn kept control of the game by keeping HP in their own 22 and Burn thought they had scored after loose ball behind the home sides line, but the referee blew the final whistle.

This game was a satisfying win, Burn proved they could win in Cumbria, in terrible conditions they played smart rugby on the whole, with the exception of when HP scored their 2 tries. They showed good mental toughness as they could have easily let this game slip away which would have been a disaster as they were the better team. They will hope their little winning run keeps going next week as they face Bolton who leapfrogged HP to top the table.