Regional 2 Tribute South West: Sidmouth 52-14 Burnham-on-Sea

BURNHAM-on-SEA RFC were handed a heavy defeat at the weekend by Sidmouth RFC away from home.

The match in the Regional 2 Tribute South West finished 52-14 in favour of the home side as Burnham struggled against their quick attack.

It was Burnham's second defeat in as many games and their sixth of the season so far, leaving them in bottom place on the league table.

For Sidmouth, the win took them to level top of the table on 29 points with Wadebridge Camels and Crediton.

Jordan Cooper was handed a debut for Burnham after grafting away in the seconds and he put in a solid shift at number eight.

The hosts took control of the game early on and ran in the opening try just five minutes in to the match. It was unconverted and the score was 5-0.

They backed this score up with a converted try just minutes later to extend the lead to 12-0.

However, Burnham veteran Tim Piper made a big break from inside the 22 to score the away teams opening try. Scott Havercroft converted to bring the score back to 12-7 as it was converted.

However from then until the halftime break Sidmouth started to throw the ball around more and create more chances.

The hosts ran in two further tries, one converted and one not, to take the score to 24-7 at the interval.

Deservedly so Sidmouth were in front and also in control of the match as the soon to be level league leaders were dominant in defence minus the one slip up that Piper made the most of.

And it was more of the same in the second half as Sidmouth ran riot for the first 20 minutes of the half.

They scored three converted tries to take the score to 45-7 and it was all but over for Burnham.

However, against the run of play, Piper once again showed his class to score his second of the afternoon, and Burnham's second. Havercroft converted to put Burnham up to 14 for the day.

Sidmouth had the last say though scoring the final try of the match leaving the final score at 52-14.

All in all a tough road trip for Burnham who will now look to bounce back after a week off next weekend. They are next in action at home on November 4, against Teignmouth.