Somerset Premier
Burnham-on-Sea 54, Oldfield Old Boys 7

BURNHAM-ON-SEA took another step towards the Somerset Premier title with a handsome victory on Saturday, writes Lee Berry.

Many would have thought that this home fixture against Oldfield Old Boys would have been postponed with Storm Jorge arriving, but thankfully it didn’t dump too much rainfall over the BASC Ground.

This allowed the 1st XV game to go ahead, albeit on the back pitch.

The Stags started the game well in the wet, cold and blustery conditions, but it was Oldfield who managed to score first after capitalising on the hosts giving away possession in the away side’s half.

Oldfield pushed the Stags backwards through several phases of play to score a converted try after 10 minutes of play.

It wasn’t too long before Josh Holder crossed the line out wide to get Burnham on the board, although Tim Piper’s conversion attempt was blown off target.

The Stags continued their momentum, working hard in all areas and retaining possession of the ball.

This paid off, after several phases of play, as Richard Muskett spotted the gaps appearing in the visiting defence to slide through and score - Piper converting to make it 12-7.

Chris Warner was next on the scoreboard, as he managed to scramble over the line and extend the lead, with Piper converting shortly before half-time to give Burnham a 19-7 advantage at the interval.

Oldfield appeared to have lost interest in the second half, as the tries came raining in.

Top try-scorer Will Hopkins was next to cross, as he came at pace from deep and broke through the away defence with ease to secure the bonus point for Burnham, with Piper converting.

Moments later, Warner scored his second in similar fashion to his first, scrambling over to take the game out of the visitors’ reach at 33-7.

Oldfield heads had completely dropped at this point and Sam Lewis scored from the back of rolling maul, with Piper again converting.

The last two tries came from in-form winger Ryan Beard, who showed his strength, agility and why he is the most elusive winger the club has seen for years.

Both were converted by Piper and the final score was 54-7.

The Stags remain clear at the top of the table and only need three more wins from their six remaining games to seal the title.

Next week Burnham are away to ninth-placed St Bernadettes Old Boys (2.30pm).