Burley V Rotherham Phoenix
5th April 2008
Burley 12 - 27 Rotherham Phoenix
Missing key players Henry Bisson, George Curtis and Matt Hutchinson Burley entered this 3rd round Yorks. Silver Trophy tie on the back of three succesive defeats.
Playing down the slope Burley started in their usual confident manner, taking the game to a capable looking Rotherham side.
An insertion into the line by Full Back Martin Zielinski, who chipped through behind the visitors backs. In straight foot race Centre Andy Bissett had to much pace for the visitors defence and touched down for a well deserved try. Fly Half Richie Parrish converting.
This was a wake up call for Rotherham and uphill pressure won them a penalty to put them back to 7-3.
A poorly excecuted miss move in the Burley backs resulted in a dropped pass which was snapped up by the speedy Phoenix Centre, who outpaced the Burley defence to score under the posts for a converted try. A further try by the now impressive visitors had the half time score at a worrying 15-7.
Now playing up the slope Burley were competing well and after 25mins neither side had added to their score.
In a backs move that clicked, Bissett shot through a gap and rounded the Full Back to score out wide. Parrish just failing with the conversion attempt.
After looking out of it the try had given the home team a lift, and they were now pushing for the win. From an attack in the Rotherham 22 Burley spilled the ball which was gratefully seized by the visitors who went 80 metres to score in the corner.
After going so close to a score which would have put them in front, Burley were now trailing 20-12 with the game almost at its end.
With the last play of the day the visitors Scrum Half chipped for the corner and the Full Back beat a dozing Burley defence to touch down. To rub salt in the wound the kick was converted, to give Rotherham, a flattering, but probably overall, a deserved victory by 27-12.
Next week the final home League fixture against Northallerton where Burley will be hoping to halt their losing run.
J.Sanderson