Western Counties West

St Ives 9, Burnham 24

BURNHAM came away from their longest away trip of the season with an emphatic bonus point win in Cornwall.

Tries from Alan House, Matt Love, Danny Spelman and a penalty try sealed the five point triumph for Burnham – who took advantage of Ivybridge’s defeat at Kingsbridge to cut the gap at the top to three points.

Burnham started against the elements and stuck to their game plan of keeping the play tight, apart from two early transgressions which cost them six points.

They were rewarded on 12 minutes when Blake’s quick penalty led to Alan House crashing in under the posts – Piper added the extras.

St Ives regained the lead with a long-range penalty, but from here Burnham seemed to find another gear and Matt Love capitalised on a loose kick out of defence to squeeze in the corner and make the score 9-12.

Minutes before the break, Burnham put the game to bed with a penalty try following mass pressure from a five metre scrum.

The second half was spoilt by the ferocity of the elements, which allowed St Ives to keep the visitors at bay for much of the 40 minutes.

But Burnham still managed to secure the bonus point when Spelman finished off a powerful driving maul.

Burnham’s next match is at home to Devonport Services on Saturday January 4, 2014 – 2.30pm kick-off.