What a Second Half!

The Shropshire side were third in the Midlands Premier league before the match and pushing for promotion, so a tough afternoon was expected. Burton made the brightest start however and were soon attacking in the Newport half where they were awarded a penalty. This resulted in a lineout inside the 22. They won the lineout and fly half Florencio Llerena made an inch perfect cross kick for winger Nick Oxley to catch and run over the line to score. The conversion attempt was missed but Burton were in the lead.

However, it was not long before the visitors struck back and after a well worked run around move the fly half showed everyone a clean pair of heels to score wide out. The kicker added the extra points to put them into the lead.

Newport then scored two tries in quick succession. The first as a result of some poor tackling in the Burton backs and the second from a lovely sidestep by the inside centre. The first of these tries was converted to increase the visitors lead.

Burton were still playing attacking rugby and by this time the forwards were getting on top. They were awarded a penalty as the visitors strayed off side. Will Simpson kicked the goal to keep them in the game.

However it was not long before the visitors stretched their lead further as the fly half made a break and the transferred the ball to his centre who in turn moved it on to the full back to score a well worked try. The kicker added the extra two points. There was no further action in the half, so the half time score was 8-26.

The Burton faithful spectators could be forgiven for fearing the worst at half time, but whatever was said in the dressing room worked. Burton came out with all guns blazing and the visitors failed to score a further point. Burton won a penalty as a Newport defender killed the ball at the breakdown and this time was yellow carded. The penalty resulted in a lineout to Burton about 10 metres out. They won the lineout and took the ball forward. It was the passed along the back line to Hooker James Davies who found himself in the centre. He passed it on to winger Simpson who ran in to score and then converted his own try.

Still having the advantage of the extra man Burton went on the attack again. They ran the ball from the half way line and then recycled it quickly. This time it was the turn of a Burton player to show clever footwork as centre Josh Kent beat two defenders to score the third try for Burton. Simpson again added the extra points to bring Burton within four points of the lead.

Burton went on the attack again and forced the visitors to defend desperately. The two Burton centres made a good run but Alex Nesbitt was forced into touch. Although Newport won the ball Burton kept them pinned on their own 5 metre line and they were eventually penalised for obstruction. Burton chose a scrum. The Newport front row stood up as they had done earlier almost resulting in a penalty try. This time the referee’s patience had run out and he awarded the penalty try to put Burton into the lead.

The last 10 minutes of the game was a nervy affair with Burton not clearing the ball but keeping it hand close to their own goal line in a deliberate attempt to stop the visitors getting their hands on the ball. When Newport did get the ball, for some reason they chose not to use their quick and skilful backs but battered the Burton line through the forwards. The Burton defence remained strong, so Newport failed to cross the line and Burton kept their hopes of remaining in the Midlands Premier division alive. The final score in a great game was Burton 29 Newport 26.