Burley V Stanley Rodillians
2nd February 2008
Burley 19 - 0 Stanley Rodillians
After last weeks tubbing at Otliensians Burley were looking for a better performance against Stanley Rodillians at home in the Yorkshire Silver Trophy.
Missing Full Back Martin Zielinski, Prop Alex Williams, Flanker Dan Johnson and Centre Brad Stovell, Burley had Jack Hill, Paul Pinder, Ritchie Christie and Henry Bisson, replacing them.
Starting down the slope Burley attacked the visitors, the backs handling slickly, Centre Andy Bissett going close but with a two man overlap on his outside a scoring opportunity was missed. A further attack saw a dropped pass hacked on by Rodillians and only an excellent tackle by Bisson prevented a certain score.
Failed penalty attempts by both sides had the score at 0-0 after 30mins. Rods were defending well but Burley were making to many errors in spite of their dominance.
Both home Wingers were seeing plenty of the ball and both had the beating of their opposite numbers, but it was Fly Half Richie Parrish who broke the deadlock with a dummy scissors move which saw him score by the posts and convert his own try.
A slender Half time lead of 7-0 was not much to show for all the pressure, and now playing down the slope the visitors' confidence was high.
Rodillians though for all their efforts were unable to breech the home defence, and with their capable, but mainly more mature pack tiring, Burley looked the more likely scorers.
Burley were just short near the corner and then Bisson just like his co centre in the first half, went on his own with an eight men overlap on his outside.
The inevitable try came on 30mins. A tap penalty 10m out was driven in by Geordie Flanker Ritchie Christie who just squeezed in at the corner. Parrish just failed with the conversion attempt. This came as a relief to Burley who now had a 12-0 cushion.
Rodilians now accepted their fate and could not prevent a further score. As the game came to its conclusion Burley drove up the field and Neil Robinson scored by the posts. Parrish converting, to give Burley a deserved 19-0 victory.
Rodilians had shown real commitment but there was only ever going to be one winner.
Next week a home League game against neighbours Bramley Phoenix.
J.Sanderson