Benfleet v Burnham on Crouch

Burnham travelled to South Benfleet to play the Vikings today on a bright but chilly pitch.

As Benfleet only having four players we lent them a couple of players to even the numbers up to seven aside.

The game started with Burnham winning the toss and choosing to start. From the offset Burnham played well, passing the ball and creating the first try for Thomas Griffin. The lead was short lived with Benfleet's Capitan coming back quickly.

Burnham back with the ball and Thomas Griffin scored again, this time with the a great team effort Burnham not only turned the Ball over once but three time at so that the end of the first quarter they where 5 -2 lead. The second quarter was very much in along the same lines with Burnham driving though with the ball. Both team making handling errors and being tacked into touch this was a much lower scoring half saw Burnham still in the lead 7-3.

With a quick change in one of the loan players at half time saw a the start of a stronger defence for Benfleet and this showed with the teams being more evenly matched with Paddy stopping Cookie from scoring with a crunching tackle only feet from the try line. With each team scoring two tries a piece the third quarter finished at 9-5.

In the final quarter two more of the loan players where switched with Paddy already strengthening the defence the two new players strengthened the attack. Hutch as a dedicated scrum half and Thomas Griffin Driving and running the centre. Thomas was matched by Riley on the Burnham side to give some great tackling and driving play on both sides.

Kieran Harris made the best tackle of the day and Thomas Griffin and George Cooke where joint players of the match. First time I have ever had a joint man of the match for different reasons.

George Cookie man of the match for Burnham for great team work driving with ball in hand and making fantastic off loading passes when tackled.

Thomas Griffin man of the match for Burnham and then Benfleet for shear athleticism with the ball generally running forward through the opposition defence and scoring six tries (five for Burnham and one for Benfleet).

A good performance from all the players they are playing better each week defending and tackling as a team.