Burton kick start their Staffordshire challenge
Burton gained a much needed victory against Newport RFC and kick started their Staffordshire competition challenge.
Newport RFC 10 (5) Burton RFC 48 (8)
Tries: J Hart 4, B Kurl 2, J Dutton
Pen: J Dutton
Cons: J Dutton 5
Burton started this match with high tempo and a determination not to let the Staffordshire competition challenge end via defeat. The early exchanges were encouraging and a strong Burton scrum released Josh Hart to run in the first try of the game. More Burton pressure promised to increase the lead following good straight running from Ed Baxter and Charlie Newcombe, however, the Newport defence stood strong and kept a series of Burton efforts out. Burton did take advantage of a Newport off side and Jammie Dutton kicked a penalty to make it 8 - 0. Any early thoughts that Newport would roll over were diminished late in the half when their forwards managed to maul over the line for a try.How would Burton respond to the fact that despite all their pressure Newport were very much still in the game, and were gaining momentum in the scrum and maul. The half finished Newport 5 Burton 8.
In typical fashion Burton upped their game and from the first Burton scrum Josh Wright was able to find room to run and pass to release Josh Hart for his second try. Then a great passing move via Matt Evans and Harry Grice allowed room for the impressive Ben Curl to score his first try for Burton. The Newport backs cracked again when Alex Dutoy and Jack Wardle drove the ball forward in a maul. Oliver Corbett skipped past the Newport scrum half and a good pass left Josh Hart in the clear to score his hat trick try. All the momentum was with Burton and another ruck saw Joel Dolman and Morgan Brown clear out for Oliver Corbett to spin the ball out for Jammie Dutton to score under the posts. Burton were rampant and the best was still to come. A good tackle from Harry Grice saw the ball spill out for Josh Hart to pick up deep in the Burton half. Newport missed the chance to tackle and Josh finished in typical fashion leaving the Newport defence flagging as he ran in forth try of the game. Newport responded with a try close to the end following missed tackles from Burton. However, Ben Curl picked up a great kick from William Hulbert and scored his second and Burtons seventh try on the final whistle.
Burton won this match with great backs passing play and strong straight running. Still room for improvement
in the ruck and maul, nevertheless a well earned victory.