Eccleshall v Burton: Cup

A strong squad of 20 travelled across to Eccleshall to find perfectly playable pitches, seemingly immune to all the wet weather. The lads were focused during warm ups and seemed fired up for the game. The first quarter (or third... more on that later) was perhaps the best rugby of our season so far. Tough, physical and in the face of the opposition.

Burton established a great platform from which they produced some flowing, running rugby. The ball went wide at every opportunity resulting in the opening try. Eccleshall fought back to level things up on the whistle for the first period. Subs on for part 2 and the intensity remained high, end to end action and excellent defence from both teams.

Several goal line stands and try saving turnovers restricted the scoring despite some very good attacking play. Burton shaded it, moving ahead by 2 scores. Part 3 and the lads again gave everything. As tiredness kicked in all round, the quality dipped a shade, but not the passion.

Eccleshall fought back, pushing Burton back to level the scores. Some lessons for our boys during this period, we need to make sure we keep our concentration on our game and what we can control.

Tied at 4-4 the team were ready to get back out there and finish the job. Unfortunately a bit of confusion meant that the Eccleshall 'time keeper' believed we were playing thirds not quarters and, as their players were 'done', we called it a day.

An honourable draw - congratulations to our triple Js try scorers Josh, Joe, James and Sam. Well done to all the forwards for great scrummaging and to the whole team for the hugely improved tackling and rucking today.

An enjoyable and competitive game between two committed and well matched teams. The lads raised the bar today, excited to see just how far we can push our improvement as a squad......