Burley RUFC

Burley welcomed visitors York University in this their fifth league encounter. The students although having won only one game from four have proved they have no problems scoring points. Missing four players from last weeks victory at Richmond Burley started up the hill. York began the game in confident manner throwing the ball around at stretching the home defence, and after fifteen minutes where awarded a penalty which was successfully converted. The students continued in their flamboyant approach and scored a fine try through their speedy centre, which was converted, giving them a 10-0 advantage. Rattled by their youthful opponents Burley began to work their way into the visitors 22, and quick hands by Fly Half Rich Parrish, and Centers Neil Robinson and Andrew Bissett released flying Frenchman Yann Le Beau who sped in to score near the posts with Parrish converting. A Burley scrum near the opposition posts resulted in a further try, No8 Dan Johnson picking up and holding off defenders to score wide of the posts. After a good first half the University boys could feel a tad unlucky to find themselves 12-10 down. Early second half pressure from the home side allowed Robinson to score near the posts Parrish converting .Burley where now well on top, the students having seemed to have lost their fizz. Quick hands again and Le Beau scored in the corner, a further penalty by Parrish made the score a comfortable 27-10. With 10 minutes remaining Skipper and Prop Jamie Ferguson was replaced by Sean Robertson and injuries to Scrum Half Mark Walton and Neil Robinson resulted in Full Back Paul Wheeler moving to Scrum Half, and Le Beau to Full Back with Johnson and Flanker Paul Pinder moving to Centre and Wing respectively. The students took advantage of the changes and started to open Burley up; their speedy backs handling well and scoring a long distance try which was converted. From the restart York came back and scored out wide. With the score at 27-22 Burley where relieved to here the final whistle. Another good win for the Kirkstall boys, again with key players missing.