Burley RUFC

Burley entertained Harrogate Pythons in this top of the table clash. Playing their full strength side Burley welcomed back recently married German second rower Richard Schmidt. Playing down the slope the home side was quickly into its stride putting the big Harrogate pack under tremendous pressure. An attempted Burley backs move saw the ball go to ground and hacked on by in form centre Andrew Bissett who outpaced the cover to touch down in the corner. With the Burley front five of skipper Jamie Ferguson, fifty year old hooker Peter Leeman, big Si Meadmore, Schmidt and Mike Taylor totally dominating their opponents another score was inevitable. From a scrum, fly half Richard Parrish made a break and sent in supporting centre Henry Bisson between the posts, Parrish converting. The Pythons had no answer to the powerhouse back row of No8 James Palfrey-Smith and flankers Dan Johnson and Richie Christie. With Burley attacking at every opportunity, quick hands by the backs resulted in Romanian full back Martin Zielinski crashing over near the corner, Parrish landing a fine conversion. A further try by Bissett made the half time score 24-0. The home side dominated the early exchanges of the second half resulting in the visitors conceding a 61st minute penalty which Parrish slotted over. Any attacking kicks by Harrogate where covered by wings Neil Robinson and flying Frenchman Yann Le Beau who quickly countered leaving the Pythons unable to find a way to break down the organized home defence. At 27-0 Burley introduced ever reliable Paul Pinder and Sean Robertson into the fray. With subs. of this quality the team is not weakened in any way and testimony to the strong squad at present at the club. With the game all but over Bissett hadn't finished his scoring duties. Receiving the ball 30m out, he shot through a gap, stepped the full back and scored by the posts, Parrish again converting. The final score 34-0 another fine performance.