Burton send Matlock for an early bath!
Burton is the place where we make men! What a fantastic day for rugby (well if you're a Burtonian that is! The weather and supporters were fantastic.
Play starts with Niall Collett kicking off... Matlock run the ball shipping out towards the wing when they run into Burtons Matt Johnson who takes the Matlock player to ground. Burton cover the ball and Niall Collett ships the ball out to Millar Pride who ships the ball to young Mr Bower... counter rucking ensues and Matlock come away with the ball. Matlock are running for Burtons try line shipping it out to their winger but struggle to get near it as Burtons defence is amazing. Matlock are tackled time and time again, young Declan Bristow hitting a Matlock forward then Matt Johnson tackling a forward. However, a loose ball allowed Matlock to scoop it and run over Burtons try line, which they are unfortunate not to convert. Matlock 5 Burton 0
Restart and Niall Collett kicks off and the game carries on midfield, counter rucking arms and legs flying everywhere! Who’s this running down the wing its Burtons YO-YO Johannes Bould flying like a supersonic missile, only a lucky Matlock hand manages to bring him to ground. Scrum down, Crouch, Touch, Set and YES BURTON come away with the ball, Niall Collett to Millar Pride to Pete Grainger who makes a 8 yard dash and then ships the ball to Matt Johnson. Matt Johnson to Burtons Man Mountain Ben Acton... can they stop him can they??? NOPE Ben is over the line with the ball under one arm and a Matlock player under the other. TRY. With the blessed boot of Will Bower he converts the try putting Burton in the lead. Matlock 5 Burton 7
1st half stats... 4 scrums Burton win & 2 line outs Burton won both.
The 2nd half begins with a Matlock kick off when we hear a shout “LIAMS BALL”! Liam O’Toole caught it and set off with his head down running through Matlocks defence backed up by the Burton Bulldogs. This is the most exciting match I have watched our lads play. Burton have possession and they start to ship the ball from one wing to the other, safe hands until an offside Matlock player knocks the ball to ground mid pass. Matlock have got possession and are running up the wing surely they’re going to score but not a chance not when Jake O’Toole sees them off with a smashing tackle taking the Matlock player into touch. Burton are now feeling the force and are bettering the opposition with a few swift changes and fresh feet things are looking good for Burton. Georgie Boy Else, Elliot Brown and Pete Grainger are forming a tight net against the breakaway players. Jack Johnson has the ball and he is heading for the try line... 3 Matlock players tie him up but he is able to ship the ball to Will Bower and with some ducking and diving he is over the line for Burton’s 2nd try of the match. Tight angles prevent him from converting. Matlock 5 Burton 12.
Burton are in high spirits as some start doing the happy cowboy dance, GO MATT SHENTON show them how it’s done. Matlock kick off and it’s an ugly kick but Burton players are unable to gain possession and rucking commences. Matlock make a fool hardy decision to run the ball up the middle but its worked! They are through, over the line and under the posts. They also convert the try tying the score. Matlock 12 Burton 12
With only minutes left, the final war cry from Jake O’Toole shouting “up to the line lads”, the Burton Bulldogs run to the line to restart. Burton’s Niall Collett kicks off and the ball is chased down. Matlock have the ball but a thumping tackle from one of the forwards gives Burton possession. Harry Roden has the ball and is running up the middle, only yards out he ships the ball... Burton are tackled but still keep possession. Matlock forwards are going in with everything they have, but it’s futile Millar Pride has the ball and he is flying over the line for the final try of the match which Burton are unable to convert. Matlock 12 Burton 17
Well done lads a well deserved win you held your heads high, true sportsmanship.
An absolute delight to watch and a massive thank you to all parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters friends and families for without you, our team would not be what it is today.