Emphatic win for Burn

Burn were runner away winners at Ramsgreave Drive as they beat Stockport 52-19.

Burn ran in 8 tries against their Cheshire rivals, 7 of these tries came in an amazing first half performance from Burn as they all but sealed the game in the first period.

Burn had a dream start as they scored 2 tries within the first 10 minutes. The first came on 3 minutes, a weaving run from Phil Baines took his team into the Stockport 22 resulting in a penalty, Burn took a quick tap and passed wide where Oli Yates bounced his opposite man out the way to score in the corner. The conversion was missed. The second try came 3 minutes later, Burn had kept the ball alive through several phases, as Corey Logan gathered the ball he was 15 metres out, but he just bashed his way through to score by the posts. Phil Baines added the conversion and Burn had an early 12 point lead. The tries kept coming as Burn had their third on 12 minutes, although on this occasion there was a little good fortune for Burn, Stockport had a scrum on their own 22, Burn had their opponents back pedalling, however the ball came straight out, the referee didn’t spot it and Jamie Brookes took full advantage as he took the ball and fended off the defenders to score. Baines added the extra points. Burn secured a bonus point after just 17 minutes, Burn kicked to the corner, they tried to catch and drive, but this stalled, however the ball was recycled, Tom Burtonwood had a charge, it was again recycled and Phil Baines made a half break before offloading to Marc Maher who had both defenders and the post to contend with, but he just managed to squeeze through to score. The conversion from Phil Baines was successful and this made the score 26-0. Stockport had had very little ball to play with, but they started to hold on to it and worked their way up the pitch, as they approached the Burn 22 they chipped through and a Stockport man was the quickest to touch the ball down for the away sides first points of the day, the conversion also was added. Any thought of Stockport gaining some momentum was dashed as Burn where the next to strike as they scored a further try on 29 minutes, Burn had been awarded a penalty, they elected to take a 5 metre scrum, they got a bit of a drive on until releasing to the backs where Alex Taylorson crashed up, the ball was recycled and passed out where Marc Maher stepped back inside to score under the posts. Baines duly added the conversion. Burn sooner had another try and conversion, Oli Yates joined the line in a pre-planned backs move, he brushed aside a defender then stepped back inside to score by the posts. Stockport managed their second try on 37 minutes, a good break from the winger put Burn on the back foot, it looked like Burn would bundle him into touch, but a good offload enabled his team mate to go on and score. The conversion was missed. Burn still had time for another try before the half time whistle, they had kicked the corner, they caught and drove before the ball was released along the back line creating space for Josh Reilly to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, but Burn had a 45-12 half time lead.

The second half proved to be a more even contest as Stockport showed fighting spirit, although their cause wasn’t helped as a flanker was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on 45 minutes. Burn were the first to score in the half as on 53 minutes Ben Corless touched down for Burn’s eighth try, in the build up Tom Burtonwood had a charge, then Corey Logan, followed by Wilf Whittle, then Corless muscled his way over from 5 metres out. Phil Baines converted well to take the score to 52-12. Stockport struck back on 63 minutes, a good break in the backs took the away side into the Burn 22 and some weak tackling allowed Stockport in to score. The conversion was added. Stockport were now desperate for a fourth try which would have given them a consolation bonus point and they pressed hard in the final 15 minutes. They were aided with a yellow card for Sam Gale, however as hard as Stockport tried the try never came and the game ended with them being held up over the line. This left the score at 52-19.

This was another excellent performance from Burn, especially the first half in which they played with pace and precision and put Stockport to the sword as they racked an unassailable lead. This win sees Burn retain the play-off spot in the league, however there are tough fixtures ahead, none more so on 2nd March, as after a week off Burn head up to league leaders Carlisle.