Burton RFC U13's 22 v Lichfield RFC 5

Burton RFC U13’s kicked off their season of ‘proper’ 15 a-side rugby on a full size pitch in style hosting Lichfield RFC on the Croft, under floodlights on Friday night.
Both teams turned up in best ‘bib & tucker’ with club shirts & ties being worn for the first time in earnest.
Lichfield RFC have always given us a fair run for our money and it was with this in mind that we planned a showcase opener to our U13’s season. With similar squad sizes and quite a few of the players from both sides knowing each other it would be a good test for both teams to see where they were, at the start of their season.

The atmosphere in the changing room was electric as players prepared mentally, finally pouring out onto the pitch to rapturous applause from the capacity crowd!

The game kicked off and Burton boys soon took the upper hand, clearing out well and winning good ball despite great challenges from the opposition. Five minutes into the game the Crofters found themselves five metres from the Lichfield try line, clean ball from the breakdown enabled Charlie to pop the ball to Callum Brodrick who sold the dummy and touched down our first try of the season.

Our confidence soared and although a physically smaller team than our visitors, our channeled aggression and excellent scrummaging provided our backs the opportunity to put down their handbags and confidently move the ball out to the pace merchants. Plenty of good runs were had but the opposition defended well however two superb try’s were scored, firstly by James Rowland and Levi ‘class act’ Davis who not only sprinted down the right wing like his boots were on fire, but then cheekily ran it all the way to touch down under the posts!! Which Joe neatly slotted over for only conversion of the game.

The forwards called an emergency meeting and within minutes Joe Gorman, with his trademark powerful running (with two green shirts hanging onto his back) slid over the line to make the score 22-5 to the Burton boys……. And in the words of coach, Pete Bunting…. “ I’d pay to watch this!! “

Both teams played extremely well in tough conditions and conducted themselves in a most sporting manner. To finish we had a 20 minute development game of which we lost 5-15, however Lichfield didn’t seem to have that many players that needed to develop so it was certainly a baptism of fire for our new lads.

All said and done everyone, including the opposition, had a fantastic night of rugby, washed down with a pint (squash for the boys) and some tasty hotdogs cooked & donated by Anthony Coates.

Well done to all and we look forward to meeting you again Lichfield RFC later in our season.

Burton RFC 22 v Lichfield RFC 5
Try scorers
Callum Brodrick
James Rowland
Levi Davis
Joe Gorman

Cons: Joe Gorman