Somerset One: Burnham 24, Old Sulians 8

BURNHAM gave an outstanding performance, their best of the season, to beat the leaders on Saturday .

Flankers Brian Webb and Lee Whitfield tackled everything, stole lots of ball in defence and were always supporting in attack.

From the start, Burnham took the game to the Bath side and a rolling maul put Sulians under the cosh. Good pressure led to the visitors gaining only five metres when they cleared for touch, which presented Burnham with an excellent opportunity.

They took it with a strong maul from the line-out, fast ball to the backs and good hands. Russ Pike straightened his run into the line and used George Wilcox on the overlap to score. Tim Piper converted.

Sulians came at Burnham from the restart, but were knocked back by the home defence and Burnham broke from their own half, forcing the visitors to touch down behind their own line for a 22 drop-out.

They cleared into Burnham's half and Nick McKen set up a maul in which great support from second rows Alan House and Andy Fear drove the side forward. Scrum-half Mike Whitfield released the backs, then Rich "Kiwi" Muskett burst past his marker and passed to Piper, who off-loaded superbly in the tackle for Webb to scores under the posts. Piper converted - 14-0.

Burnham were firing on all cylinders and playing excellent rugby. Sulians came back at them, but the defence continued to be very strong and kept them out after Webb had tackled their centre and won a penalty for holding on. However, the visitors kicked three points from a penalty for offside.

From the restart, Lee Whitfield and Webb put Sulians under pressure and panicked their No 10 into missing touch with his clearance. A great catch and strong hand-off from Dave Wellend set up another attack and a series of rucks, with Tom Hocking and Andy Clement being very aggressive in clearing out.

This ensured good, clean ball for Whitfield who released the backs and intelligent play from Piper led to a line-out in the opposition half. Burnham won it and open-side wing Wilcox recycled the ball well for a four-phase pick and drive from the forwards, which committed the Sulians' defence. When the ball went out to Muskett, he stormed through to score. Piper converted, making it 21-3 half time.

Sulians must had an ear-bashing from their coach, as they looked a different side in the second half. They kept Burnham in their own half, but awesome tackling and turnovers kept the Bath side at bay.

It was when Burnham managed to get into the opposition half that Sulians scored, as Burnham got isolated and turnover ball led to a try for the visitors. Theconversion was missed.

Burnham attacked from the restart, forcing Sulians to knock on. A strong scrum from Burnham and a beautiful grubber kick from Muskett led to Piper chasing catching the full-back, forcing him to hold on and concede a penalty which Piper converted.

There was no way back into the game for the leaders and Burnham's magnificent performance resulted in three cheers from the home supporters on the final whistle. It was an awesome display from every player.

Team: Pike; Wilcox, Lewis, Piper, D Welland; Muskett, M Whitfield; McKen, Hocking, Sharpe, House, Fear, L Whitfield, Webb, Clement. Reps: Rose, Popham.