Burton v Lichfield

Burton under 17 v Lichfield 5th November 2010

Burton under 17’s entertained Lichfield in their latest league-cup match on a fine sunny morning, the sides playing on Peel Croft.

Burton pressed well at the start. Burton earned a penalty deep in their opponents half and the ball was released through the backs to reach Tom Hunt on the left-wing enabling him to score in the corner.

Lichfield almost replied immediately, their player crossing the line in the corner but not before stepping into touch. However, they won the ensuing line-out and moved the ball to the opposite side of the field to score a try in the corner, leaving the sides level at 5:5 after 14 minutes.

Lichfield began to grow in confidence although with Burton holding their opponents. The aforementioned Hunt put in two excellent tackles in quick succession, the second resulting in injury to and loss of a Lichfield prop. Unfortunately, the referee directed that the scrum should be uncontested and Burton were to lose the benefit of their dominance in that department.

The half ended with home side conceding two penalties, well taken by Lichfield to leave the visitors 11:5 up at half-time.

Burton began the second-half strongly, with a surging run by Stuart Carter, supported by Callum Sandeman at right-wing. Will Turner at Number 8 picked up the ball from the back of a ruck outside the Lichfield 22, slipped the defence and scored a try under the posts, duly converted to leave the home side 12:11 up.

Burton were awarded a penalty which was superbly kicked by Ashley Allum from close to the half-way line to extend the lead to 15:11. Nevertheless, Lichfield were beginning to gain the upper hand in broken play and Burton were struggling to retain possession. The Lichfield back line began to threaten as play was increasingly confined to the home sides half. The visitors backs were able to break through twice to score in opposite corners. The match ended, with a much improved Lichfield side the worthy winners on the day, the final score of a hard fought match being 21:15.