Burley V Knaresborough
12th January 2008
Knaresborough 27 - 7 Burley
After three successive League wins Burley came down earth with a 27-7 defeat at in form Knaresborough.
Missing several key players Burley should still have had enough to overcome their workmanlike opponents, but were out muscled up front from the start.
Playing up the undulating field Burley were behind after 2mins. The home pack winning the ball from the kick off and driving down the slope to score near the corner.
A further converted try and a penalty had the home side leading 15-0 at the interval.
With the advantage of the steep slope Burley had shown enough in the first half to be confident of overcoming their opponents. However, all they could muster was a solitary try from second row Mike Taylor converted by Richie Parrish, against two tries and a conversion by Knaresborough.
The game was summed up from the kick off after the Burley try. Not one player prepared to take the ball from the kick off, resulting in pressure from the home side and a knock on by Burley. From the subsequent scrum the Boro No8 picked and went passed a dormant Burley back row to score.
A poor performance all round. With only Hessle, Otliensians and Bramley safe, things are certainly hotting up in the run in, with seven teams on 10 or 12 points.
Next week Hornsea at home and a chance to get back to winning ways, but only with a much better performance.
J.Sanderson