Burley RUFC

Burley visited old rivals Wibsey missing vice captain and second row Mike Taylor, flying Frenchman Yann Le Beau, full back Neil Robinson and veteran prop big Si Meadmore. With a gale force in their favor and playing down the steep slope Burley new they would have to rack up some points to withstand the inevitable second half pressure. The early progress was made by Wibsey their obvious game was ball retention. Their competant pack making a series of up field drives preventing Burley any possession. After twenty minutes and with the visitors now making inroads the ball was transferred between centers James Palfrey-Smith and Andrew Bissett and with full back Henry Bisson entering the line winger Gavin Leeman went in at the corner. An infringement by Burley gave Wibsey a successful penalty kick. Burley then increased their lead with a fine try by in form centre Bissett, Parrish converting. At half time Burley lead by a none too comfortable 12 points to 3. Wibsey continued to use their pack to drive down the slope, and another infringement by the visitors allowed Wibsey to convert another penalty. In now atrocious conditions Burley where finding it difficult to get out of their 22, and with relentless Wibsey pressure conceded another penalty, which went in off the upright. With the score at 12-9 and ten minutes to go Burley had to soak up constant Wibsey attacks, but some fine line kicking from Parrish and man of the match Mark Walton kept the home team at bay. The final whistle coming as great relief. A superb defensive display by both forwards and backs preventing a very good Wibsey side scoring the points they needed for victory. Burley will not give away their 100% league record easily.