Burnham looking good in Preseason

Burnham travelled to Witham on Saturday for their first preseason fixture of the season. Burnham took a new look squad with some of last year’s colts and 2nd team players looking to stake their claim on a 1st team place. Burnham started slowly as the players looked to find their feet in new positions, but it was not long until they created space for winger, Chris Allan, to skip his way over the try line. Shortly afterwards centre Charlie Knight combined well with Marthinus Strydom to get Burnham another try. Burnham were making a lot of the running and with Harry Bush commanding the backs from starting position of fly half it was more than Witham could handle. Another good backs move put winger Ross Edmonds in for another Burnham try. Burnham changed things about and brought on Brandon Jackson at number eight and he had an immediate impact to the game giving Burnham’s backs even more space to run into. By this point Witham were feeling the pressure and with injuries mounting Burnham lent them a number of players to help them stay at full strength. These players proved to be a thorn in Burnham’s side with first Neville Murray crossing the line for Witham and then a super run from Tom Braybrook outpacing all his Burnham teammates to score from his own 5 metre line! Burnham then upped the game in the last 10 minutes to ensure there was no chance of a comeback and as the final whistle went they ran out comfortable 46-14 winners. The score though was not the main point it was the effort and application of the players that was the resounding success for Burnham and with 5 debutants on the pitch it bodes well for the coming season. Special mentions must go to Braybrook, Jackson, Knight, Allan and Strydom for great performances in their first game for Burnham. Man of the Match was Allan for a great all round performance at wing. Burnham train Wednesday evenings from 7pm on the sports field behind the Dengie Hundred Sports Centre.