Burton U13s v Handsworth U13s

Burton U13 vs. Handsworth U13

On a grey day near Birmingham, the boys assembled to meet Handsworth for the first time this season, being a bit of an unknown to them.

After a good warm-up session, the coaches went through the game-plan and just after the hour, the match started.

From the off it was extremely even, with no side taking any advantage and it being very end-to-end stuff. Stalwart Henry Wright was replaced early on after taking a knock and things stayed even, with a couple of the boys getting boisterous just after the quarter hour and a good talking to from the referee soon put things back in order.

Neither team took any advantage, with the Burton backs making a statement of solidity to deny Handsworth, Alex Yigit, Edward Robson, Henry Wright, Jacob Ruprecht, Theo Hamilton, Travis day and Will Wynne-Raji proving solid and dependable time and again.

Pushes into opposition territory were made regularly by George O’Brien, Jacob Ruprecht, Joes Ensor and Semple, Matt Stockin, Sam Thorpe and Will Wynne-Raji, but not to fruition.

The first half ended 0-0 but with hopes raised that the match would go Burton’s way.

Unfortunately, within 3 minutes from the restart, Handsworth ran in the first try of the match, with no conversion. This was soon followed 3 minutes later with another that again went unconverted.

Things turned and four minutes later a hard-fought rucking session meant that Sam Thorpe finally put the ball down for Burton, with Travis Day adding to the points to make it 10-7.

From then on, the battles were fought hard and Handsworth were able to make the most of their breaks and ran in two more tries that remained unconverted.

The final score was Handsworth 20 – 7 Burton.

Coaches man-of-the-match was Kieran Ryde, who was instrumental with maintaining the solidity of the back row once he replaced Theo Hamilton who hurt his leg.

Written by Mat Horlock