BackSat 17 Sep 2016 ·  Division 3 North
Burnley 2
1st XV
21
31
Tries: J Short (2), w briggs, j harrisonConversions: M Short (4)Penalties: M Short
Burnley 2nds 21 Carnforth 31
alan hardy18 Sep 2016 - 04:24
Double victory claimed
Our first away game of the season saw a visit to Holden Road to face a strong Burnley side - the game was a double header with 4 league points on offer as well as a place in round 1 of the Bowl competition. 17 players travelled with Jason Waterhouse, Dan Blenkharn and John Greenland 3 key players missing from the pack - in came Matti Davenport for a man of the match performance, Will Hedley and Chris Whaley. In the backs Jack Edmondson was not available, Mathew Short moved into the centre with Nathan OConnor slotting in at full back.
On a decent pitch in hot conditions Carnforth got off to a great start as we kept the Burnley team in their own half for the first 10 minutes, chances came and went for the visitors - perhaps early tries would have settled us down. The only points we got from the early domination was a penalty from Mathew Short following a break by OConnor and Hedley through the middle.
Will Briggs had a couple of breaks with Jason Short also making some determined runs. The Burnley pack was much bigger than Carnforth but hooker Dave Hones struck against the head a couple of times, Davenport took line out ball all afternoon and had a superb 80 minutes of rugby.
Burnleys confidence grew and they started to use the big pitch well, their lively half backs linked well in the backs and they started to ask questions of the Carnforth defence, their rewards came with a try out wide, also converted. On the stroke of half time and their sustained pressure told again as a second converted try was scored - a lead of 14 - 3 at the interval leaving Carnforth with it all to do. Skipper Shane Weed rallied his troops at half time - game not over and not to panic. A few years ago Carnforth may have crumbled and allowed the opposition to run away with the game but thats all in the past and this team never falter and just get on with the job in hand.
Sam Tomlinson was enjoying his tussle in the pack and with Donald Haddow and Nick Hamer linking well again at 9 and 10, the second half started well for the team.
Within 5 minutes of the restart and a quickly taken penalty saw Jason Short receive the ball and the number 8 was able to burst through the defence to score a try, Mathew Short converted. Carnforth were now enjoying the possession and 5 minutes later they took the lead once again, a break by Weed and Joe Harrison saw OConnor take play on, his pass went to Briggs just inside his own half, the winger went on the outside before sprinting down the flank to register his 5th try of the season, another superb solo try, Mathew Short adding the extras.
From the restart it was Hones who received the ball and took play to inside the Burnley 22, OConnor and Mathew Short linked well before Jason Short was on hand to crash over for his 2nd try, Mathew Short putting his team 24 - 14 up.
Refusing to lie down and some words from the touchline, Burnley hit back well and they scooped up close by to score a converted try to reduce the gap to 3, this would have been levelled but the penalty attempt went just wide. 3 points the gap and 5 minutes to play, both teams giving their all, winger Dale Lowrie making a couple of good runs, OConnor dangerous from full back as Carnforth moved into the Burnley 22. Briggs and Short linked well again in the backs to allow Harrison to run a superb angle to cut through the defence to score the try that sealed the game, Mathew Short added the 2 for a 31 - 21 victory - hard earned victory.
Thanks to the Burnley contingent for their hospitality and good luck for the season.
Carnforth - training Tuesday before a home game with Tarleton this Saturday.
Man of the Match - Matti Davenport
On a decent pitch in hot conditions Carnforth got off to a great start as we kept the Burnley team in their own half for the first 10 minutes, chances came and went for the visitors - perhaps early tries would have settled us down. The only points we got from the early domination was a penalty from Mathew Short following a break by OConnor and Hedley through the middle.
Will Briggs had a couple of breaks with Jason Short also making some determined runs. The Burnley pack was much bigger than Carnforth but hooker Dave Hones struck against the head a couple of times, Davenport took line out ball all afternoon and had a superb 80 minutes of rugby.
Burnleys confidence grew and they started to use the big pitch well, their lively half backs linked well in the backs and they started to ask questions of the Carnforth defence, their rewards came with a try out wide, also converted. On the stroke of half time and their sustained pressure told again as a second converted try was scored - a lead of 14 - 3 at the interval leaving Carnforth with it all to do. Skipper Shane Weed rallied his troops at half time - game not over and not to panic. A few years ago Carnforth may have crumbled and allowed the opposition to run away with the game but thats all in the past and this team never falter and just get on with the job in hand.
Sam Tomlinson was enjoying his tussle in the pack and with Donald Haddow and Nick Hamer linking well again at 9 and 10, the second half started well for the team.
Within 5 minutes of the restart and a quickly taken penalty saw Jason Short receive the ball and the number 8 was able to burst through the defence to score a try, Mathew Short converted. Carnforth were now enjoying the possession and 5 minutes later they took the lead once again, a break by Weed and Joe Harrison saw OConnor take play on, his pass went to Briggs just inside his own half, the winger went on the outside before sprinting down the flank to register his 5th try of the season, another superb solo try, Mathew Short adding the extras.
From the restart it was Hones who received the ball and took play to inside the Burnley 22, OConnor and Mathew Short linked well before Jason Short was on hand to crash over for his 2nd try, Mathew Short putting his team 24 - 14 up.
Refusing to lie down and some words from the touchline, Burnley hit back well and they scooped up close by to score a converted try to reduce the gap to 3, this would have been levelled but the penalty attempt went just wide. 3 points the gap and 5 minutes to play, both teams giving their all, winger Dale Lowrie making a couple of good runs, OConnor dangerous from full back as Carnforth moved into the Burnley 22. Briggs and Short linked well again in the backs to allow Harrison to run a superb angle to cut through the defence to score the try that sealed the game, Mathew Short added the 2 for a 31 - 21 victory - hard earned victory.
Thanks to the Burnley contingent for their hospitality and good luck for the season.
Carnforth - training Tuesday before a home game with Tarleton this Saturday.
Man of the Match - Matti Davenport
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