Burton U17 v Wolverhampton U17

Burton under 17A v Wolverhampton 17th October 2010

Burton under 17A entertained Wolverhampton at home for this match played at Peel Croft on a fine autumn morning. A brief look through the recent archives reveals these teams last met in the County Cup in February, Wolves winning that match 19:0.

Burton showed their intent from the start and they were up well on the Wolves player collecting the Burton kick-off. However, an infringement led to a penalty which was kicked to touch deep in the Burton twenty-two. Wolves won the line-out as they were to do consistently throughout the match, and started moving in a controlled drive toward the Burton try-line. This was well held and Wolves released the ball to their back-line, their centre cutting inside but again held. A second infringement by the home side led to a tap-penalty which was spun left and the try-line was made, but Burton managed to hold-up the ball in the corner. Wolves continued to press and only heroic defence by Burton on their try-line kept them out. By this time one of the Burton forwards had been shown a yellow card and they were a man down. This only galvanised Burton to greater defensive effort, with a mighty tackle from Day at fly-half, winning the scrum and clearing the ball. Again Wolves came back, this time with a clear overlap and view of the Burton line. Only superb tackling from backs Eddie Runagle and Henry Andrew and bundling out on the corner pin by Tom Hunt prevented what appeared a certain try on the Burton right. Burton did win the resultant line-out and the ball was well cleared, but again retrieved by Wolves who this time went the opposite way, only to be stopped by Chris Brown putting in a classic try-saving tackle. However a further alleged infringement resulted in a Wolves line-out deep on the Burton left and this time they were to score a try in the corner, the score 5:0 after a full 14 minutes of heroic defence by Burton’s 14 players.

Burton were unable to generate sustained possession and Wolves were able to continue to pin Burton back, particularly after decisions which went against the home side. They were to score twice more with converted tries to take the score to 19:0.

The Burton re-start was well contested by Ashley Allum. The Burton scrum was solid and the ball went out to the backs, Brown at centre making a strong run inside. Following another infringement Wolves came back, but again determined tackling by a number of Burton players disrupted their opponents attack as the half-time whistle went.

Five minutes into the second half Wolves were to score again. However, Burton were coming back with good efforts by replacements Chesterman and Turner in the forwards, and a lovely passage of backs play showing handling of great aplomb pressing the Wolves line.

Wolves drove forward again, and again alleged infringements were penalised and Burton found themselves camped-out on their try-line. Great defence turned over the ball and the ball was run-out of the danger area by the Burton centres. A short fracas resulted in no further cards for either side and the match ended, Wolves the worthy winners at 24:0.

Burton were beaten by a stronger side on the day. Ultimately the team were unable to secure and maintain consistent possession and were to suffer repeated setbacks through alleged infringements. However, all the players can take great pride in their courageous and determined defensive performance, especially during much of the first half when they were on the rack and under strength (recalling similar circumstances in that famous cup victory against Trentham RFC of 16th December 2009).