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).