Somerset Two South

Burnham-on-Sea 2nd XV 12, Morganians 26

MORGANIANS travelled to a balmy Burnham-on-Sea this week for what was expected to be a tough contest between two good sides.

From the start, it was clear Morgs would have to be at the top of their game to come away with a result as Burnham’s strong back unit continually probed at the visitors’ defensive line.

When it looked like Burnham had eventually found a way around, Morgs’ winger Martyn Keep produced a perfectly-timed intercept and ran the length of the pitch for the first score.

That score only served to motivate the home side still further and, within minutes, they’d equalised via an overlap on the left.

With 20 minutes gone, Morgs eventually found some form and, from a lineout on the 22, their pacey backs were unleashed, with Jack Criddle carving through the Burnham line before releasing Ryan Rossiter to score under the posts.

Burnham came back quickly, though, and spent the next 10 minutes camped in the Morgs end, battering away at a strong defensive line and eventually crossed in the corner when a bouncing ball evaded the scrambling Olly McGeown.

In the second half, Morgs’ powerful pack, which had been dominant throughout, secured good ball for their backs.

Centre Will Hopkins was the player to find the breakthrough as he stepped past his opposite number and a third conversion from Jordan Mein took Morgs nine points clear.

The game was far from won, though, as Burnham were gifted two glorious opportunities to counterattack from poor kicking.

On both occasions, a combination of desperate tackling and poor decisionmaking resulted in overlaps being wasted.

With 10 minutes to go, with a fine game in the balance, Morgs struck again, as good back play allowed Rossiter to ghost over in the corner for his second try of the match to seal the win.

Morganians: Guest, Luke, Richards, Grimstead, Harris, Wood, Croker, Pierce; O McGeown, Hopkins, Bullion, Criddle, Keep, Rossiter, Mein. Subs: Vunipola, Armstrong, Weller, S Carter, J Carter, R McGeown, Walpole.

THAT hard earned win was Morgs’ 19th consecutive league victory and keeps them well clear at the top of the league.

They now enjoy a week off before hosting North Petherton on March 4 and victory in that match will secure the league title.

The club will also be hosting a players’ reunion and expect a bumper crowd for what will be an entertaining local derby.