Hessle V Burley
8th March 2008
Hessle 22 - 7 Burley
After last weeks convincing 40-0 win over Knaresborough Burley travelled to unbeaten League leaders Hessle. Missing geordie duo Richie Christie and Alex Short, back into the pack came Polish International Milosz Grochowski with Paul Pinder moving from Prop to No 8. Also on the bench were V/Capt, Professional Wedding Guest and International Businessman James Palfrey-Smith and veteran Hooker Peter Leeman.
Burley started in determined manner but after 5mins a sleepy defence allowed the strong Hessle Winger to break clear and although held up passed to a supporting player who touched down near the corner.
The Burley defence was coping well with the star studded Hessle back line with Centres Henry Bisson and Andy Bissett putting in some great tackles. But with all good sides the slightest mistake will be punished and another converted score under the posts left the visitors trailing 12-0. In between scores Burley were competing well, holding the Hessle scrum, and with Grochowski dominant, winning good lineout ball. With strong drives from 2nd Row George Curtis and Flankers Matt Hutchinson and Dan Johnson Burley were gaining in confidence.
Another lapse however saw the Hessle Winger score in the corner followed by another unconverted try. For all their hard work Burley approached half time 22-0 down, but still showing a determination to go forward.
With 45mins of the half gone Bissett received the ball on the home 22, rolled his opposite number, and beat the cover to score in the corner. Fly Half Richie Parrish converting superbly from the touchline. The score was no more than Burley deserved.
The second half started with Palfrey-Smith replacing the hard working Pinder.
From the kick off Burley had a, how can we peg the 15 points back, rather than a damage limitation attitude. Hessle used their backs continually but were knocked back time after time, even on reaching the wings the Hull men found Burley Wingers Brad Stowell and Neil Robinson in no mood to capitulate. With Full Back Jack Hill showing a steely determination in defence and coming into the line on attack, Hessle also had to do their share of defending.
Burley were having much more of the game than the League leaders and with the front row of Skipper Jamie Ferguson ,Sean Robertson and Alex Williams were now begining to disrupt the Hessle scrum. With Scrum Half Mark Walton using all his experience driving the forwards and distributing in the blustery conditions superbly, Burley were determined to improve on their seven points.
An excellent break by Parrish was stopped by a delibertate knock on by a Hessle player.
Burley fetched on Peter Leeman for Grochowski, with Williams dropping back to the 2nd Row
and Robertson moving across to Prop, Leeman slotted in at Hooker.
The final substitution was made when Will Broomfield came on for thigh victim Henry Bisson.
With the game coming to its conclusion a tiring Hessle were content to to run the clock down against their more youthfull opponents.
An excellent second half against a very good side and with three more League games left Burley are determined to achieve what they set out to do and retain their Div. 4 status.
Hessle however will move up to Div.3 and although will find it tougher look set for a further promotion next season, but after that ,with an ageing team.....
J.Sanderson