Western Counties West
Burnham-on-Sea 31, Cullompton 8

THIS was a consummate and entertaining performance by Burnham to warm the cockles of their old faithfuls on a cold autumn day.

Cullompton arrived hoping to consolidate their lofty position of third in the league, only to meet a Burnham side determined to upset the apple cart.

With pace and guile on the wings and a strong pack Burnham set out their stall early on with several attacks only to be thwarted by desperate defence.

Eventually Brandon Petit gathered a clearing kick, set off from his own 10-metre line and, in his own inimitable fashion, bypassed the attempted tacklers to cross the line close to the posts. Piper converted for 7-0.

Burnham increased their lead through a Piper penalty, but Cullompton quickly replied with a neat flowing move, the left winger scoring in the right wing corner to make it 10-5.

Ten minutes later Watkins put a long clearing kick into the opposition half, obligingly dropped by the full back, allowing a marauding Jordan Paul to scoop up and race in under the posts. Piper converted for 17-5.

After half time Cullompton reduced the deficit with a penalty to make it 17-8.

This proved a catalyst for Burnham – after a good spell of pressure and possession close to Cullompton’s line, Alan House was driven over.

Now Burnham were rampant, driving their opponents backwards in the tight and with Stevens and Blake’s strength in the lineout a highly commendable debut by Oti was duly rewarded with a try in the last few moments after brushing aside the defence to score under the posts.

It was a memorable day for Burnham, firing on all cylinders, and if they can keep the squad together for all their games, then there is no reason for them to remain in the bottom regions of the league.