Hard times at Bolton

Hi Guys,

Rugby date 25/9/10 away against Bolton 3 score 17 - 22

This was going to be tough boys all our games this season will be hard fought, I think this league is well balanced with a lot of teams playing a similar style of rugby. The biggest problem we will have this year will be ourselves, we have played 4 games and all of them have had the chance of going either way. The first game was a narrow lose, but should of been a victory but we let ourselves down when it mattered most. Silly penalties are costing us dear, we manage to get ourselves in reach of a win then go in to melt down giving away needless penalty's time after time. Although we may not agree with the referee's decision, once it has been given that's it. I have never known a ref change his mind and I doubt any ref this season will. What we have to do is react quicker our opponents although been beaten by us in some super set play, are playing the ref's better than us and reacting to their decisions way before us. This is leaving us vulnerable at times especially out wide, and the amount of decisions going against us is mounting. We have to work hard on our discipline, and sort out the penalty count to stop leaking unnecessary points.

Keith has written this weeks match report and posted it on pitchero, this means I can use my blog to give my thoughts on this weeks game. As I have already said this was going to be a hard game, and it was brutal at times but the Burn defence although rocked managed to close out a win, With thunderous runs from Martin Jessop and Paul Schofield, and the dogged solid tackling of Andy Snape, Paul Cockram and Micky Cottam, we managed to start well and build a lead. Once again the Burn pack took control at the set piece and was soon putting solid runs up the middle of the pitch. We have learnt the meaning of a good start, but now must eradicate the silly mistakes that mean all the good work we do is been undone. With the forwards once again setting a solid platform our brilliant backs got the chance to show what they can do, a big thanks to Johnny Walmesley coming along and having a run with us. But all our backs are playing well at the moment, looking slick and cutting through oppositions especially Tom Holden, John Whittle and big Nick Archer. Whose game play is faultless giving our quick boys something to run onto, and thundering through tackles.

Our game is good and solid and a lot of that is down to you lot getting to training, and Paul Greenwood's excellent training drills. All I can say is lets keep up this level of commitment, work hard on our week points and put the effort in to every game and the results will come. This week we welcome Hawcoat park to Ramsgreave, they are a bit of a unknown and have a mixed bag up to now. This will be the first time I have played them and would like to show what we can do, as always it will be hard game but one only we can loose. And we must work hard not to give away the game with bad discipline, if we can maintain the effort so far we are a hard team to beat. Having won two lost two Hawcoat are one place behind us in the league. and have managed to beat Bolton and Hutton. If you can let us know your availability as soon as possible, and lets keep up the good work and numbers down training on Thursday 7pm till 9pm. Once again well done to all the players this week another super win, I am proud of the level of commitment shown by all.

Regards Carlos (captain).

A game of two halves

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Hi Guys,

Rugby date 18/9/10 home against Thornton Cleveleys 2 score 13-12

Once again another hard battle but as the title says a game of two very different halves, first half kicked of and the Burn players took the challenge straight to the visitors. Applying Pressure from the kick with a superb catch and charge from second row specialist Martin Jessop. With stand off Nick Archer making the most of the wind advantage we soon camped in the visitors half, and the forwards started to assert their dominance at the set piece and break down. Jim Coleman at scrum half again was given a armchair ride from the platform the marauding pack gave. With new boys to the mighty thirds Ben and Adam in the backs giving plenty of pace to back line, Burn pushed hard to pressure the visitors line. But Thornton stood strong for the first 10 minuets with a good defencive effort, however the pressure cooker soon came to the boil with number 8 John Bank crashing over to get the first points for Burn. Nick adding the extras once again. Once again a good catch from the restart saw new boy Allan Clunes have a dart down the line making twenty yards with little effort. Quick ball putting Burn on the front foot and Thornton on the back foot saw our back line cut through the visitors. A penalty awarded straight in front of the posts gave Nick an easy chance at three more points. Thornton restarted once again and hadn't learnt from their previous kicks once again putting the ball straight down our forwards neck. A good ruck ball and then some straight running once again took us deep in to the visitors half. Once again Burn dominating at the breakdown putting Thornton on the back foot and result another penalty and Nick doing the honors. As half time approached Burn looked in control with good discipline and the visitors moaning at the referee.
After a couple of changes at half time seeing the return of old favourite Alf Williams we where ready to kick off, Tom Holden and myself leading the chase and putting the pressure on the Thornton receiver. Burn challenging hard at the breakdown forced the penalty from the visitors. Nick narrowly missing from the kick and Thornton with a bit of open field to run at broke out of their 22. Soon it was the visitors turn to apply some pressure and as Thornton started to take the game to the Burn pack the referee started to turn against the home team. A penalty been awarded against the home team on our 10 yard line saw the first flash of yellow. Alf been deemed to have gone over the top and killing the ball, a funny decision from the ref to bin him as he had only been on the pitch 5 Min's and we had not received any warnings prior. However we where down to 14, and had a lot of defending to do. Thornton pressed hard and where soon camped in our 22 when the ref once again blew his whistle and reached in to his pocket, this time second row P.G. going in the bin again killing the ball. With 13 on the pitch and only 6 forwards Thornton opted for the scrum, but the mighty thirds dug deep and repelled the attack, It was however only a matter of time before the numbers gave the visitors their first score going over as the Burn defence was stretched to far. Thornton missing the extras on this occasion but coming straight back at the Burn defence, which although creaking managed to with stand the battering. The return of Alf buoyed the home team and they where starting to make their way out of their 22 when Martin Jessop deemed to go in high with a charge. the result was yet another yellow and burn down to 13 again. With our two lock forwards languishing in thew bin Thornton opted for a scrum, i think they planned to push us the full 35 yards to our try line. But replacement James Caunce moving to second row with Alf, Andy Snape moving to 8 and Asad myself and Stuart Rouse in the front row we packed down. I don't know who was more surprised us or Thornton but not only did we not move backward we managed to push the visitors scrum of 8 off the ball overturning the scrum. However it wasn't easy for Burn and it wasn't long before Thornton where stretching us again and going over for a second score, this time adding the extras leaving them 1 point behind. As our sinners returned we managed to hold out the visitors as they threw all they had at us, it was a long last 5 minuets but we managed to secure field position and retain the ball to close out the game and pick up yet another win.
I don't think our discipline was at fault this weekend, however you have to adapt to the referee, and we didn't manage the ref particularly well this Saturday. We must improve on our technique and maintain a disciplined line, adapt quickly to the ref and the conditions and stop leaking points and penalty's. This weekend we travel to close rivals Bolton, again this will be a difficult game and I would like as many down training on Thursday as possible. If you can let me or keith know your availability as soon as possible. Also coming up soon on the 9Th of October we travel to Hutton, we will be making the journey as robbers and fancy dress will be compulsory. This is a advance warning we will be having some fun this day and fines will be levied for fun suckers, OK.

Regards Carlos(captain).

Mighty thirds win on the road

Hi Guys,

Rugby date 11/9/10 away against Carnforth score 10-27

Our first away trip saw us make our way up the M6 to Carnforth, a game I looked forward to as the whole team got on so well with our host's last season. It looked as though we would have good numbers for the game also, with the inclusion of John Whittle and Sam O'Dae both making their debut for the third xv. Arriving in plenty of time at Carnforth we made our way out onto the pitch and warmed up, P.G. Leading the team in our stretches. After a couple of runs I thought how good the side looked with some players out of position but adapting to the challenge. Andy Snape starting at centre along side Dave O'Sullivan, a new position for Andy but a good hard combination with Dave both having a good understanding of each other and both being excellent tacklers. With the return of Nick Archer at 10 we looked sharp and quick in the middle of the park. Jim Coleman linking well from forwards to backs at scrum half in the absence of Braddy, Tom Holden on one wing John on the other and young Sam at fullback.

The forwards looked hard and hungry also with a settled front row of Percy, myself and Stuart Rouse, following on from the good work started last week. Second row specialists Martin Jessop and Paul Greenwood, giving a solid foundation in the engine room of the scrum. And a back row of talent with Mike Doherty and George Pugh on the flanks and Paul Cockram at eight we made a formidable pack.

The game started at a pace and both teams stretched the opposition at times but the Burn power at the set piece started to take the edge, forwards setting a solid platform for scrum half Jim to unleash the backs. We looked sharp and were soon mounting the pressure on the host's try line, setting camp in the Carnforth 22. A solid scrum 5 yards out saw us go close, as the front 5 pushed over but a good defence saw Carnforth scrabble the ball away at the back of the scrum. Burn giving away a penalty to relieve some of the pressure on Carnforth, but good work at the line out saw Burn coming up with the ball and quick hands from the backs saw Andy Snape go close. From another line out Mike Doherty doing excellent work at the top got the ball of to Jim with quick hands again through the backs Sam O'dae ducked over for his first try for Burn joining the line from fullback. Nick adding the extras it was hard to believe we had only been playing some ten minutes. More pressure from the Burn team saw us keep the score ticking over with Nick slotting a penalty on the half hour, from the re start we got the squeeze on again Carnforth scrapping for everything in defence. A charge down from P.G. Saw Jim Coleman scoop up the ball and cross the line for our second try. Once again Nick adding the extras, 17-0 at half time and I reminded the team that the job wasn't over, and Carnforth would come back at us. A change at half time saw the return of Matt Briscoe taking over on the wing for John, who had had a great first half for his debut.

It was as I had predicted Carnforth coming back strong from the restart, but some excellent defence kept them at bay, and the forwards dominance in the set piece started once again to role. With us looking dominant changes where made with Kilian Fitzsimmons-Wilson coming on for Stuart Rouse and old favourite Andy Goodwin for Martin Jessop. Unlike the previous week the subtle changes didn't damage the mighty work done by the forwards, and we kept the pressure on the host's. Paul Cockram eager to score made at least a dozen attempts but coming up short due to dodgy markings of the pitch, a point we commented on before the game started after Stuart Rouse had done the same thing last season. Obviously Paul needs to go to specsavers, eventually he crossed the correct line to score our third, and seemed to be pleased with himself. Stuart Came back on for me and Jessy for P.G. Stuart taking over as skipper, but Burn struggled to regain the supremacy they had had, and Carnforth came back at us hard scoring in the 75th minute a couple of quick changes saw myself and P.G. Return to the pitch for the last few minutes. however Carnforth buoyed by their score where hungry for more and took advantage of a penalty to ship the ball wide and score a second. Jim Coleman giving everyone a good kick up the arse under the posts and will be now known as Angry Jim. From the restart I went on a run and catching the kick bulldozed my way up to Carnforth's 22, a bit of confusion and good fortune saw Percy knock on but the ref not give it, and P.G. Playing to the whistle strode over for an easy score. The game ending 27-10 and Burn well worthy of the points.

Next week we welcome Thornton Clevelys to Ramsgreave and look to keep the momentum going, Thornton are currently 2 places behind us in the league but the first game was conceded to them and the second a walk over. This could mean they are hungry to play some rugby and we must be up to the challenge training will be on Thursday evening at 7pm and I hope we can get another good turn out please let myself or team manager Keith Walmsley know your availability as soon as possible.

Regards Carlos (captain).

Helicopter rides at Ramsgreave.

Hi Guys,

Rugby date 4/9/10 home against Wigan score 13-17

The new season kicked off with a tough game at home against old rivals Wigan, it was going to be hot on and off the pitch. With a large turn out of players I was going to have to rotate the squad as much as possible to ensure that everyone got some game time. This would help ease the effects of the humidity on this warm Indian summers day, but I also wanted to maintain a high level of competitiveness.

The game was set to kick off at 3pm but a late request from Wigan to get under way 15 minuets early was put in, we started up front as we meant to carry on with some thunderous tackles from flankers Andy Snape and Mike Doherty. With the experienced heads of John Bank and Richard Bradford at 8 and 9 we had a good platform. The early dominance of the Blackburn pack was clear for all to see, and resulted in Wigan making numerous changes to their front row. However the fast running Wigan backs were proving difficult to contain and only by some hard tackles did we manage to keep them out on several occasions, as the Blackburn pack battled their way up field with the try line looming, indiscipline at the tackle area let the visitors off the hook time and time again. We wasn't the only side caught out by the new understanding of the rules and Wigan gave 2 early penalty chances away, narrowly missed by Kaaber Henning. With half time nearing and the game locked in stale mate it was tense and thrilling but Wigan first to react to the referee penalising Blackburn where soon putting pressure out wide. Wigans fast and pacey backs proving to good for Blackburn and scoring in the corner, the conversion missing.

Blackburn rallied straight from the kick off with myself making a tackle on the Wigan number 1 as he caught the restart, putting him down and turning over the ball. The hungry Burn pack drove on and Wigan conceeding an easy penalty in front of the posts gave Henning another chance at the posts. Unfortunately pushing just wide for the second time the Wigan backs seized there chance. Changing defence into attack they ran the ball from there 22 catching the burn players on the back foot, and scoring their second try of the half. 12-0 at half time I carried out my plan to make some changes and give some of the many subs a run out. However after a initial burst from the burn forwards which saw a smashing bullocking run from second row replacement Martin Jessop, who sent a Wigan defender flying as he crashed through the line of defence. A early penalty chance saw Henning finally put some much deserved points on the board for Burn. The mood soon changed as it was soon apparent that some of the changes had some what weekend the Burn pack and now Wigan where soon on the ascendency and winning quick ball a danger as the Wigan backs lined up to take their chance at the burn line. It wasn't long before the defensive efforts of Burn where broken and Wigan going 17-3 ahead.

The changes had to happen fast as the valiant efforts of front row replacements Andy Grey and James Caunce where put to the sword. Tight head prop Stuart Rouse and myself taking to the field again as the pressure on our replacements deemed to much. Burn had to score quick and where soon charging into the visitors half, a crashing run from myself drove deep into the heart of the visitors 22, setting up a drop goal chance for Henning. From the resulting restart Burn came rushing forward now with the grit firmly between there teeth, Andy Snape crossing the white wash closing the gap, Henning adding the extras 17-13. Burn once again in the ascendency as the clock counted down, a Wigan penalty gave Henning a shot to the corner as burn threatened Wigans defence was tight a second penalty 5 yards out and Burn chose scrum, the pressure was mounting but Wigan somehow managed to keep out Burn. Yet another scrum and you could hear the seconds ticking by on the referee's watch. A shrill blast from the whistle and Burns chances done for as indiscipline gave away a stupid penalty on the visitors try line, the ref already having said last play Wigan kicked to touch.

As we made our way off the pitch I noticed an ambulance on the touchline, it soon came apparent that scrum half Richard Bradford had been hurt in an earlier tackle. Things where looking a little rough as the air ambulance was brought in and Braddy was taken to hospital. Myself and vice captain Paul Greenwood made our way to Blackburn Royal, but on arrival there Braddy was been released after observations had gone well, a clean bill of health thankfully.

All in all the game had gone well and I would like to thank all the players for their efforts, but indiscipline was our down fall and something we must strive to eradicate from our game. There has to be one voice mine talking to the ref, far to many times we put ourselves under pressure by gobbing off to the ref. And although a hard game is what we all want it has to be fair, no cheap shots let the other teams make the mistakes we must capitalise on them.

this week we will travel to Carnforth, yet another good hard game and one I truly enjoy. We have a good relationship with Carnforth and look forward to the challenge, and a good drink afterwards. Please can all players let me know availability as soon as possible also lets keep up the efforts on Thursday night at training keep your eyes on the web site for details.

Regards Carlos (captain).