It has been a bit of a strange end of season for the Burton 1st XV as they first retained the Staffordshire Senior Cup without having to play the final due to opponents Longton conceded the game. Then then last weekend while the Burton Players had their feet up at home. Melbourne restricted Dudley Kingswinford to just 3 tries. This meant DK missed out on the try bonus point and this crowned Burton as champions of Midlands 1 West, guaranteed promotion to the RFU level 5 and will be playing their rugby in the Midlands Premier next season.

So not the ideal finale the players deserved but the hard work has all been done in the weeks before. The team has been building over the past three season and has now shown a greater maturity in this campaign which only saw them pick up 2 defeats. Burton have scored over 1000 points in the league, averaging over 45 points per game. With the highlight being away at Stourbridge Lions where they broke the 100 point mark with a 101 points to 5 victory which included 41 points from full back, Will Simpson (14 conversions, 1 penalty goal and 2 tries)

It is 3 seasons since Burton were at RFU level 5 and means there are only 72 clubs in the country ranked higher than Burton. Next season already looks a tough league without the relegated teams who will join from the National League which is expected to be Broad Street and Luctonians. Old rivalries will also be ignited with games against Bournville, Nuneaton, Bridgnorth and Newport. But even tastier will be the local derbies which will be played against neighbours Lichfield and Derby. It is sure to be a highly competitive league with players, coaches, management staff and supporters all looking forward to the challenge that lies in wait.

Planning has already begun for next season with the emphasis on further strengthening the playing squad and a few players have already been contacted by Director of Rugby, Mark Tweddle. But these need to be the right kind of players also. Players who are brought in need to commit to the club and buy-in to the club culture, ethos and spirit that has been built over the past few seasons. The commitment from the Playing and Coaching team to the players is that the club will be as prepared as we have ever been for life at level 5. It will be the clubs ambition is to cement their position at that level and even take on some of the bigger, more established teams.

With one game due to be played this week Burton can’t be caught by DK so the match on Saturday away at Moseley Oak is a dead rubber with the result not impacting the final placing at the top or bottom of the league. It has therefore been agreed with Moseley Oak and the League Secretary that there is no need to play this final league game. This means Burton will now be able to release all of their players so they can represent Staffordshire in the County Championship against Leicestershire which will be hosted by Burton RFC on Saturday at Peel Croft, kick off 2.30 pm. There should be a lot of representation from Burton in the county side so still plenty of interest for the local support. It has also been agreed with Becky Davies, Staffordshire President, that the presentation of the Staffordshire Senior Cup will be made to the Burton team after the game and I’m sure it will be celebrated in the usual manner in front of the loyal support.

The end of the season also means the end of Jack Brooks’ association with Burton Rugby Club as he is moving back to Wales due to work. Brooks has definitely been the teams talisman this season both in defence and attack. He has also taken on the role this season of match day skipper and it’s a role he easily fulfilled as he has the respect of his fellow players and leads by example. He leaves the club after being with Burton for 6 seasons and 92 1st XV appearances. Burton Rugby Club wish him all the best for the future. His commitment to the club has never been in doubt both on and off the pitch and it was fitting that at the Players Dinner last weekend he was presented with the Player’s Player of the season from his peers.

Another fitting award went to Club captain, Harry Titley, who was presented with the Tony Docksey Club Man of the year who is stepping down as Club Captain at the end of the season. The club should be very grateful for the contribution Harry has made over the past few season and is a big part of why we have been successful this season. I’m also sure he will continue to contribute in the future. At senior level he has led the club for the past three years and with great maturity been a true leader on and off the pitch. But it is the work that goes unnoticed which Harry should be applauded for. If you get down the club early enough on a Saturday you can always see Harry helping to clean up the club inside and with a brush in his hand tidying up outside. He is always willing to come down on a Sunday to help out with the minis and gives up days in the week to help coach the juniors when asked. Harry is a true club man and whoever takes over the role will have some big shoes to fill.