Thornton Cleveleys 17

Burnley 17

Burnley travelled to the coast knowing they were in for a hard game, with the last two seasons being home wins, and even though Burnley were a couple of places higher in league positions the home side had only lost one more than Burnley all season. So a resulting draw was possible a fair outcome, however as coach "what was pleasing to see was the feeling of the players believing their was a away win for the taking".

First half and Burnley started at 100 miles a hour dominating ever aspect of the game and crossed through scrum half Austin Ralph converted by Sam Mounsey, on the back off a great move from a line out. Once this try went in Burnley seem to think ever ball can be passed or little kicks made and everything will go their way. Moving forward with experience the side needs to make hard yards by carrying and clearing their lines in controlled manner, as watching on - the off loads are great to see but at the right end of the field, making sure play less frantic rugby. TC were next to score as slightly loose tackles went in and their winger worked is way clear, conversion missed, but then they were successful with a penalty. Mounsey then put a penalty over so Burnley went in at half time 10 - 8.

A quick chat at half time and even though the travelling team was in the lead the chat was to make better leg tackles and concentrate on the teams shape so players weren't seeing mismatches.

The second half began with both sides having a real go at each other with strong carries by Jack Stockdale, James White and Gerhard Botha, just in the final third could not convert into points. The front row of Luca, Paul and Chris along with the rest off the pack were dominating the scrum, but rather than receiving penalties the home team seemed to get away with minor infringements and come away with the ball. After sixty minutes Ralph swapped with Simon Finnan and a quick penalty taken by Finnan so him work his way over the white wash for his seventh of the season. So with about 10 minutes to play there was one score separating the teams. TC then retained the ball, and from a resulting penalty to the home team, with the referee shouting wait, Burnley players did, however TC scrum half had other ideas took the penalty quickly and carried on worked is way over the line and scored, conversion made. Note to Burnley whatever being said lets get back 10 metres form a penalty and defend.

Overall a great match played, but it showed at the end as TC were cheering with a draw and Burnley were a little down to only come away with two points shows how far this young team as come in twelve months, next up its Ormskirk at home.