Development success in defeat vs Veyesans

Burton Under 17’s hosted VEYESANS RFC in a first friendly fixture between the 2 sides.

SQUAD LIST

Cole, Dolman, Finney, Foley, Furner, Higginson, Hulland, Marshall, Mason, McKendrick, Millington, Rockley, Roden, Sharpe, Shaw, Spray, Sturgess, Valentine, Welsford.

STARTING LINE-UP

1. Loose Head Prop – Ben Higginson
2. Hooker – Abe Furner
3. Tight Head Prop – Adam Dolman
4. 2nd Row – Ryan Welsford
5. 2nd Row – Curtis Marshall
6. Blind Side Flanker – Ben Hulland
7. Open Side Flanker – Max McKendrick (Captain)
8. Number 8 – Lewis Sturgess
9. Scrum Half – George Roden
10. Fly Half – Taylor Millington
11. Left Wing – Ryan Sharpe
12. Inside Centre – Sam Valentine
13. Outside Centre – Will Spray
14. Right Wing – Sheridan Cole
15. Full Back – Alex Finney

MATCH REPORT

After a fine victory in their start to the league campaign last week, Burton used a friendly fixture against Veyesans as an opportunity to try players in new positions & experiment for future development.

The match started with Burton kicking off into the warm, sunny conditions with a slight cross field breeze at Shobnall Leisure Centre. Veyesans arrived with several players whom were quite big & powerful with ball in hand. After plucking the ball out of the sky, the greater power & pace was in evidence straight away. Burton were up in a line but the visitor’s outside centre was straight through only for a tackle to be put in after the 3rd or 4th attempt.

The first 5 mins saw a lot of visitor’s attacking plays as Burton struggled to put some phases together. Adam “Grizzly” Dolman was looking sharp around the breakdown ably supported by Curtis Marshall who was business like as ever getting around the field.

However on 10 mins, after a sustained period of possession, the visitor’s big No:7 broke free down the right & sled over the try line. The conversion was successful. Within a further 3 mins, the score count was doubled as the powerful runners were proving a handful again down their right.

On 17 mins, Burton had a lineout on halfway. Abe Furner threw a magnificent arrow high into the air but Veyesans were up highest to the ball. They broke again through their big No:13 but this time met Ryan Welsford who put in a thumping tackle to knock his opposite number backwards. That sparked Burton into action. The ball was recycled & George Roden commanded his forwards to get to the breakdown. After passing the ball out, the tremendous Taylor Millington booted the ball long to get field position. After a fantastic chase by Millington, the full back held on to give Burton a penalty. Sam Valentine stepped up & slotted his kick straight through the posts to get Burton back in the game.

That moment of brilliance from Millington was short relief as the visitor’s came storming back with 2 quick converted tries. Lewis Sturgess was again having a massive impact for Burton popping up all over the pitch. Max McKendrick again led from the front dragging his team forward when missed tackles were starting to pay their price. It was the back row pairing that combined to take Burton to within Veyesan’s 22. Ben Higginson got hands on ball to drive for the line but was held up when destined to score. A 5 metre scrum was awarded & Burton broke to the left. Ben Hulland stole in, got the ball & drived over to seal a score after applying pressure to the tryline for 10 mins. Valentine added the extras to leave the score Burton 10 – 28 Veyesans at half time.

Burton 10 ( Try – Hulland, Con – Valentine, Pen – Valentine)
Veyesans 28

The 2nd half begun with the visitor’s kicking off & Burton being asked to dig in for a better performance. Alex Finney was back into the action taking the ball on before a heavy tackle put paid to his day. Ryan Sharpe cleared out the resultant ruck before Josh Shaw took the ball on. However, again the big visitors showed greater intensity & pace around the park. With missed tackles in midfield, 2 early converted tries were conceded.

Burton’s character was being questioned. Jake Foley & Scott Rockley came into the fold to stabilise the back row. The smaller U16’s players showed no fear against their larger opposition & in fact Foley put in a tackle that knocked his opponent back 3 feet, leaving him on the ground shaking his head. A great start for young Jakey. That sparked Burton as they spent the most of the 2nd half camped on the Veyesan Try line without scoring.

When the visitor’s did break, they met a great defensive partnership of Lewis Mason & Sheridan Cole who’s scrambling defensive duties met that no further tries were scored.
This left the final score Burton 10 – 42 Veyesans.

Burton 10 ( Try – Hulland, Con – Valentine, Pen – Valentine)
Veyesans 42

The Coaching Team would like to congratulate the nominated Man Of The Match Lewis Sturgess for another magnificent all round game. Captain Fantastic Max McKendrick also had a great game & Taylor Millington showed an excellent character way beyond his years.

The final word goes to Jake Foley & Scott Rockley. These are 2 U16’s players whom play as forwards. Today they played against players twice their size & they matched them for their ability & commitment. Well done Jakey & Scotty. Continue in this form & you’ll be real assets to your age group & Burton RFC for years to come.