Burton beat Burntwood into submission...

Ahead of today’s match report, the Coaches would like to say a massive ‘Thank You’ to all the lads with special mention going to Johannes Bould, Elliott Brown, Zak Fellows, Harry Mellor, Liam O’Toole, Harry Roden and Tom Rutherford who all stepped up and played for the opposition. This shows great sportsmanship which of course is one of the RFU Core Values.

Burntwood unfortunately only arrived with 12 players so a huge thankyou to the aforementioned lads for stepping in and enabling Burntwood to play the match.

The game begins with Niall Collett kicking the ball to Burntwood’s 5M line, knock on by Burntwood. Scrum down, Crouch Touch Set, Burton Forwards show Burntwood no mercy and them backwards. Niall Collett ships the ball out, Ben Acton has the ball and goes to ground. Burton ruck over securing the ball and bang Burton’s lanky legged Jake (the punisher) O’Toole is over the try line for their 1st try but windy conditions prevent the conversion. Burton 5 Burntwood 0

Burntwood kick off and a knock on by Burton sees a scrum. Burton win the scrum and come away with the ball but unfortunately a knock on again sees another scrum. Burton again come away with the ball, Niall Collett makes a break, running up the middle of the pitch but nobody is with him as he’s taken to ground and Burntwood secure the ball running back at the Burton defence from the halfway line. Burntwood player is between the Burton lads like a greased whippet and he is over the line for a good try from Burntwood which went unconverted. Burton 5 Burntwood 5

Burton kick off but Burntwood have now got the taste from their own 22 they set off and are again on the attack, dancing between the Burton lads like Michael Flatly on an audition for Riverdance and over the try line again. The try went unconverted. Burton 5 Burntwood 10

Now the Burton Bulldogs have decided that they are not taking prisoners and that they will not be beaten on the croft. “This is our turf lads”
Burton kick off and as Burntwood attempt to secure, Jake (the Punisher) O’Toole somehow comes away with the ball and he is over Burntwoods try line for his 2nd try of the match. Burton 10 Burntwood 10

Game continues and in a blink of the eye Pete (the Powerhouse) Grainger has the ball and he is between the posts fantastic try which Niall Collett converts with a great kick. Burton 17 Burntwood 10

2nd half

Burntwood kick off, some great midfield play by both teams but the Burton forwards are far too strong for Burntwood and Burton’s Jake (the punisher) O’Toole is over the line for his 3rd Try of the match which is converted by Harry (the missile) Roden. Burton 24 Burntwood 10

Burntwood kick off again and in quick succession the ball is played out to Miller (the panzer) Pride and he too is putting his name on the score card. Harry (the missile) Roden connects with a good boot but the wind catches it and it hits the post, good effort. Burton 29 Burntwood 10

Surely Burntwood are out and disheartened, NOT A CHANCE, Burntwood have the ball and they are ducking and diving, shipping the ball, great hands and fast legs see them over Burton’s try line. Bad conditions prevent the conversion. Burton 29 Burntwood 15

The Burton Bulldogs are now watching and figuring out that Burntwood have a slight weakness in the centre, ball is played shipped out to the wing and back in again, great hands by the team gets the ball to ‘big’ Ben Acton, who is through the middle for a great try under the posts followed by a fantastic kick by Mr Roden. Burton 36 Burntwood 15

Burntwood kick off and within minutes Burton’s powerhouse Ben Acton has the ball and is once again under the posts for the last try of the match. The cruel wind prevents Mr Roden from converting. The final score Burton 41 Burntwood 15

A fantastic match played by all the Burton lads, really well done boys. You all know it’s not a matter of winning or losing but it’s the spirit and the heart of the game. You all communicated on the pitch and most of all started the match with a smile and enjoyed yourselves. You all looked and played extremely professional. Well Done!

Written by Shay O'Toole
U13's Match Reporter