A Close Game

With the first half of the season now completed Burton travelled to Birmingham on Saturday for the return match with Bournville.

Burton were the victors in the previous match but Bournville are currently second in the league, one place higher than Burton who are third, so a close game was anticipated.

The visitors were under pressure straight from the kick off and their defence again showed frailties. The home team centre burst through a tackle only to pass the ball forward denying them the first try. However although Burton won the ensuing scrum a poor clearance kick handed the ball back to the home team who immediately ran the ball back. From the breakdown they recycled the ball quickly and the open side flanker burst through the middle to score under the posts. The try was converted to make the score 7-0.

From the kick off Burton were at last able to exert some pressure of their own. Good work by the forwards, with Joe Gazzard and Will Roach in particular carrying the ball well enabled the backs to get hold of the ball. Eventually the ball was passed along the back line to winger Lewis Brooks who showed his usual pace and balance to beat the defence and score in the corner. The conversion was missed so the score was now 7-5 but Burton were back in the game.

There followed a period when both teams tried to attack but both made a series of handling errors which led to stop start rugby. Bournville eventually worked their way into the visitors’ 22 metre area and forced an offence at the breakdown. The penalty was kicked making the score at half time10-5.

From the restart the home team started to play a tight game. They drove the ball through the forwards recycling well but rarely passing beyond the half backs. When the visitors eventually got their hands on the ball they tried to run from defence got caught and were penalised for holding on to the ball after the tackle. The penalty was kicked making the score now 13-5.
With Burton desperate to get their hands on the ball they committed another offence at the breakdown which the Bournville kicker again slotted over to make the score 16-5.

Burton were not done yet however and after some good work by the forwards they won a penalty of their own. The ball was kicked to touch and after winning the lineout the pack drove to the goal line for Will Roach to score a well deserved try. The conversion was missed so the score was now 16-10.

With about ten minutes to go Burton were awarded a penalty in a kickable position. However they chose not to kick for goal but to take the lineout. This time the home side defended well and denied the visitors a try. Bournville worked their way into the Burton half and were again awarded a penalty. The kick was converted to make the final score 19-10, denying Burton even a losing bonus point.