Bees lose close battle

Five tries not enough to give Bees victory as they battle it out

Like other Burton sides a shortage of manpower saw Burton only able to field fifteen players for this tough home fixture against Burntwood, but although having lost to the same side 37-12 back in December the much-changed Burton side made the most of what it had and while not managing a victory were far from being disgraced in a 31-41 defeat.

Burton started well with newcomer Jack Divin claiming a debutant try after only five minute to give his side the lead, but the visitors hit back with three tries, two converted, of their own to establish a 5-19 lead. However, the Burton side stormed back and after some great work by their forwards Rich Paupe scored an unconverted try and spurred on by this Danny Jancic smashed his was through the opposition defence to score under the posts for Darryl Banton to convert and take the score to 17-19. But just as Burton pressed for another try the ball was dropped and snatched up by the Burntwood winger who raced the length of the pitch to score a converted try to make the halftime score 17-26.

Once again the second half started brightly for Burton with John Collett finishing off a superb forward move involving Owen Shand, Kieran Dadley and Tony Mumford to score close to the posts. Banton again added the extra points and Burton trailed by only two points at 24-26.

The visitor’s powerful forwards quickly added two tries, one converted, to regain the lead at 24-38, but Burton’s new boy Divin had other ideas and raced in to his second try of the day that Bantan converted to take the score to 31-38. A penalty gal at the very end of the game gave the visitors a final victory of 31-41 but only after a great Burton effort that had seen forwards playing in the backs and other players continually having to change positions as needs changed.