Burley vs. Old Rishworthians 1/9/07
Burley welcomed Old Rishworthians in this 1st round cup clash.
Rishworthians, having acquired the services of Cape Towns own Jamie Bloem, where having an excellent pre season.
Having beaten Rish twice last season, Burley where confident, but respectful of their resurgent visitors.
Captain Jamie Ferguson winning the toss chose to play up the slope.
Rishworthians where soon into gear and with an abundance of possession dominated the early proceedings. Fly Half Bloems excellent line kicking constantly had Burley on the back foot.
For all their 1st half dominance the visitors had a half time lead of only 9-3 three Bloem penalties to one by Burley Fly Half Ritchie Parrish.
The feeling in the Home camp was that the visitors had wasted opportunities by taking 3 points when a little more enterprise could have resulted in a bigger half time margin. Though credit must go to Burleys tremendous 1st half defence.
With only 6 points adrift and playing down the slope the game was there for the taking, however within 5 mins. Into the 2nd half Rishworthians scored. From a line out inside the home 22 Rish secured the ball and from a well controlled driving maul Wing Forward Lock touched down. Bloem converted.
At 16-3 behind Burley where down but not quite out.
From the kick off the visitors No.8 Bakosi was given a yellow card for taking out Burley 2nd row George Curtis without the ball. With one man down Rish where finding it difficult to deal with the driving runs of the now rampant Burley forwards. Three successive drives by powerhouse back row James Palfrey-Smith, Eddie Sommerville and Richie Christie resulted in quick ball fed out to left Wing Karl Hayward who went in at the corner. Parrish converting magnificently from the touchline.
Burley where now a changed team and could sense their opponents wilting. From a further forward drive substitute debutant James Farrard crashed over. Another superb Parrish kick nudged Burley ahead 17-16.
A desperate Rishworthians had seen their 13 point lead whittled down and as the game drew to its conclusion Parrish sealed their fate with a 40m dropped goal to make the final score 20-16.
An excellent final 30mins by Burley, but still lots to be done.
Burley President Ray Leeman has denied rumours that an approach had been made to former Leeds Tykes and South African R.U. international Braam Van Straaten. We are more than happy in both our coaching and goal kicking departments, he was heard to say.