21/08/2010
Gap widens for Burnside in gruelling loss
Print by Huw Cushing
Despite a gallant defensive first half from Burnside, the finals look like a two horse race as Brighton kept third placed Burnside scoreless for the entire match.
The tight first half looked promising for Burnside who managed to keep Brighton 10 metres from scoring a try, keeping cool heads under several phases, only to have Brighton crush Burnside in the second half, winning 37-0.
Brighton’s forward’s inched their way up the ground early in the match, making sure to keep possession with plenty of men behind the ball, showcasing the discipline of the team.
The high amount of possession for Brighton appeared to be fruitless as tackling from Burnside’s tighthead prop Chris Cocca and openside flanker Nigel Lamsan prevented Brighton’s forwards from getting any closer than five metres from the try line.
One of the few times Burnside had possession in the half resulted in Brighton’s first try as outside centre Dave Laidlaw charged down a Burnside kick, running onto the ball to weave through a stunned Burnside defence across the try line from 15 metres out.
Brighton persisted to inch the ball forward, keeping their passes short, making sure to keep possession.
Brighton’s persistence began to pay off, keeping the ball inside Burnside’s defensive half eventually wore them down as blindside flanker Greg Black strolled in for an easy try to take the score to 13-0 at half time.
Loose passing and knock-on’s featured heavily in the second half as both teams struggled to keep control of the ball on a cold Brighton night.
Despite this, Burnside elected to use the wings and pass wide on the few occasions they had possession, with fly-half Mika Tauffao and fullback Louis Richards’ handling and passing being one of Burnside’s few match highlights.
As the night lingered, so did Burnside’s defensive strength as Brighton opened up the flood gates late in the match with four easy tries, the first of which going to Laidlaw for his second of the match and the fifth going to Black for his second.
Despite being yellow carded earlier, Brighton left wing Callum Wilkins returned to the ground with speed and quick footed movements to break through a now dreary Burnside defence for Brighton’s fourth try, casually diving over the line highlighting Brighton’s deserved confidence one week away from finals.
The result still leaves Burnside as finals contenders, but the gap between them and top teams Brighton and Onkaparinga may prove them to be no more than cannon fodder two weeks from now.
Here are the rest of the results for the round.
Premier Grade
Woodville 49 defSouthern Suburbs 17
Old Collegians 34 def Adelaide University 7
Onkaparinga 43 def Port Adelaide 36
Reserve Grade
Old Collegians 91 def Adelaide University 0
Port Adelaide 39 def Barossa Rams 8
Elizabeth 36 defOnkaparinga 24
Third Grade
Woodville 72 def North Torrens 3
Old Collegians 20 def Adelaide University 0
Onkaparinga 20 def Elizabeth 0
Women
Burnside 41 def Onkaparinga 7
Southern Suburbs 24 def Old Collegians 10