The question was whether Burnham could bounce back after a shockingly bad decision robbed them of an away victory at Basildon the previous week. If the weather was any prediction of a possible result it certainly didn't favour Burnham. Driving wind and rain was the order of the day, and without talismanic TJ, the omens didn't bode well.
Witham turned up early, and seemed poised to take advantage. They had managed to pick up some well known Woodham faces to bolster the ranks, and with two enormous second row players, clearly were looking to dominate the scrum and line-out. Burnham want to play an open flowing game, with the pace in the backs, the weather was not helping.
The game kicked off, and Burnham wanted to put a marker down, despite the conditions, they were determined to play their game. The potential is all there, and Burnham soon worked an opening catching Witham unawares. Tom Braybrook is having a season start that many can only dream of, and he didn't disappoint scoring the first points. That's eight tries already this season!! If we can keep him out of the nightclubs, he could get 30+. The conversion was slotted over by the returning Chris Allan. Burnham 7, Witham 0.
Witham responded and started to thread some good play together, Burnham were under pressure, and eventually the defence broke allowing Witham to go over for a try. The conversion was slotted over leaving it all square Burnham 7, Witham 7
Burnham shaken by the try pulled themselves tohgether, and were now in the ascendency. Constant pressure on Witham was disrupting their game, and the Burnham forwards were going for it toe to toe. The pressure finally told, and Burnham were rewarded with another great set move try with Captain Fantastic Alan Gregory bundling over. Chris Allan didn't disappoint, and another 2 points were added to the scorebaord. Burnham 14, Witham 7.
As so happens, Burnham took their foot off the gas, and Witham pushed forward again. Both teams trading possession and territory. It clearly wasn't the greatest quality of handling with the conditions. Eventually Witham found the gap, and scored their second try. The conversion was missed. Burnham 14, Witham 12. This game was yo-yoing, and right now you couldn't call out who was likely to win.
It needed some inspriation, and up stepped Chris Allan. Getting the ball in his own half, he spotted that Witham's backs were very flat, drawing their defence, he slotted through a tasty grubber, and showing some silky footballing skills, kicked through again before collecting the ball and outsprinting the Witham defence. Superb Try, and just to show he wasn't finished he slots over the conversion. Burnham 21, Witham 12.
It had certainly been an interesting half, buit there was still time for Burnham to out the icing on the cake. Working from a set move and in front of the Witham posts, the ball comes to Chris Allan again. And with Jonny Wilkinsonesque traits, he takes aim slotting a beautiful drop kick through the uprights. Burnham 24, Witham 12.
Half time....
The second half kicked off, and to be fair, with weather conditions worsening, it just ended up a war of attrition. Witham probably had the better of the second half with pressure and territory, but points were lacking, and it ended up pointless.
Full time - Burnham 24, Witham 12
Try Scorers
Tom Braybrook
Alan Gregory
Chris Allan
Conversions
Chris Allan - 3
Drop Goals
Chris Allan
Next week Burnham have a rest week from the league, before resuming in a top of the table clash against Chingford on the 20th October.