Tactical Walsall Shut out Burton

Burton under 17A v Walsall 3rd October 2010

Burton under 17A travelled to Walsall for this first league match of the season. Heavy rain beforehand threatened the match but in the event it was played in reasonable conditions.

Walsall kicked off, the ball well taken by Shay Kavanagh at prop, driving forward, circulating the ball to the fly-half with a good inside pass to Tom Hunt coming in to the left from full-back. Walsall retrieved the ball, but their player was well wrapped up by Stuart Carter, Walsall conceding the penalty.

The Walsall clearance kick was well taken by Sandeman and Burton were competing equally with their opponents. Chris Sammons at scrum half successfully harryied his opposite number. Unfortunately a couple of Burton moves broke down, not helped by the slippery ball. Following a knock on a Walsall penalty was pulled wide.

Walsall began to settle and pressed hard in the middle of the field, although the Burton players were solid in defence, with good tackles from both forwards and from the back line. Walsall put in a sharp grubber kick to the Burton left which was brilliantly collected by the Burton full back, Hunt, sprinting left and kicking inward off the outside of the foot and earning a penalty.

Walsall put in a long kick toward the Burton try line, winning the line out, which they were to dominate throughout the match. They span the ball to the left to open the scoring with a try in the corner, immediately followed with a second from the re-start. Soon after they added a penalty and Walsall were beginning to dominate, putting in a series of long kicks to pin Burton deep into their own half. In a withering period of play, two further tries were to follow in opposite corners as their back line stepped up several gears, one of which was well converted, making the score 25:0 at half-time.

Burton made a series of substitutions, Seb Chesterman making a notable contribution at flanker. Jordan-Turner put in a long kick and Burton were pressing the Walsall line. Unfortunately Walsall turned the ball over and scored a breakaway try which was converted. Play retuned to the Walsall end and Burton won a line-out close to the Walsall try-line, Chesterman driving over for the try which was converted. Walsall added a penalty to their tally but soon after determined work by the forwards and good distribution by the replacement scrum-half resulted in a try for Eddie Runagle, also converted by Jordan-Turner. The Burton forwards were playing and tackling with enthusiasm, with notable efforts from Gibbo and Weedon, but there was no further score. The match ended to leave Walsall the winners with a final score 35:14.

Walsall dominated the line-out in this match and their backs played some incisive attacking rugby. Nevertheless, the Burton players can congratulate themselves on showing great deal of spirit, despite the half-time score, with some talented individual performances.