5 weeks is too long!

Gordano Sharks under 16s travelled to windswept Burnham champing at the bit to play after 5 weeks of cancelled games. Burnhams first team pitch was in remarkably good condition, though the weather could have been kinder.

Half term hols, illness and injury hit the squad hard this week and with 8 not available the Sharks fifteen knew they were all in for a hard shift.

The game couldn't have started better for the boys, pace and excellent handling leading to tries from Tom Instance, Shay Ford and Lewis Leaker after only 15 minutes saw the visitors take a 19 nil lead. Lesser teams would have crumbled but a determined and spirited home team came back with two well worked tries of their own.

Gordano realised that the contact area was becoming a problem for both sides and worked hard to move the ball at all opportunities. In the conditions this was no mean feat and the sharks were rewarded with two more tries, one from outstanding skipper Finn Murphy and another by Leaker.

A tiring gordano turned around 33-14 up, the difficult extras coming from the boot of Leaker. Time to dig deep and defend as a team and try and get over the finish line.

Burnham continued to grow into the game with some powerful charges and decisive breaks. The game became more even and the second half saw Burnham scoring two more fine tries, Gordano only managing one with a fine effort completed by the rampaging Zach Wall.

Attacking intent, pace , risk and entrainment has always been the hallmark of this group, however when tired and under pressure with no subs and a determined and talented opposition desperate to get back into the game, today saw a different side to the team. Gutsy never say die defence and work rate from forwards Jack Pope, Harry Purnell,Curtis Southey and Charlie Gearey allied to tackling of Ollie Ohare and Sam Ashbee, all orchestrated by superb fly half Lewis Eaves. A special mention to Jordan Mitchell who after a long injury lay off, finally got back on the pitch and constantly relieved the pressure with his strong running ability to either go through or around defenders.

Well done to all the team who came off the pitch exhausted and no doubt very pleased with their effort. Man of the match was shared by Lewis Leaker at 9 whose running and passing was exceptional allowing the back line to play with pace at all times. Connor Fairclough at 6 contributed a work rate in defence and attack with both discipline and intelligence to also claim the award.

Coach Ian Pope commented "we always knew Burnham would present a stern test for the team. We were really pleased with the pride and discipline the boys showed today and their intent to attack once more brought them the reward they deserved"