Burton v Uttoxeter

Burton under 17’s v Uttoxeter 14th November 2010

“A sterling defensive performance with monster tackles” – John Drage, coach

Burton under 17’s entertained Uttoxeter on The Oxhay for this Remembrance Sunday clash, the game commencing off after the customary two minute silence.

Burton began strongly and backs Ross Burrows and Henry Andrew pushed deep. A solid scrum and early effort was rewarded with a penalty, well kicked by Seb Chesterman to open the scoring after 5 minutes.

The Burton line-out proved strong and Cooke was able to steal the Uttoxeter throw with Bates at hooker fearlessly dropping onto the loose ball. A period of strong attacking play saw Burton camped on their opponents try line, but the lunge for the line was held, indicating the strength of their opponents defence. The home players were equally ferocious in the tackle, particularly flankers Halton and Chesterman who were able to steal ball and effectively disrupt the Uttoxeter game. Perhaps the only criticism which might be levelled during this stage of the game was a tendency to kick the ball forward rather than allow an attacking position to be patiently built.

The Burton scrum had the upper hand and Alex Bowen playing No 8 linked well with scrum-half Sammons, gamely playing at short notice. The team were looking lively and committed, out-rucking Uttoxeter, and with forwards and backs including Allum and Bird offloading well in the strong Uttoxeter tackles. The half-time whistle saw Burton camped on the Uttoxeter line, but the pressure could not be converted into points.

The re-start saw some indiscipline and infringements. A Uttoxeter tap penalty saw them make ground on the left, stopped by left wing Alex Cooke putting in an excellent tackle, unfortunately landing on and breaking the bottle crate (which he is asked to replace by next week). Adam Cooke put in a superb clearance kick, bouncing to touch on the left, and then went on to steal the resultant Uttoxeter line-out.

Midway through the half both teams toyed with a change to the generally accepted rules of the game, in which No 8 Bowen called a mark on the half-way line. The players seemed content with the change as play stopped and time stood still, only for the referee to veto the suggested modification, inviting the players to continue.

The first try of the match came from a typically strong Burton scrum in their opponents 22, the ball picked up by the Number 8 and delivered to Sammons who went through, the try duly converted.

Uttoxeter came back strongly, only good defensive work with tackles from Evans, Champney and Kavanagh holding the line. However, Burton indiscipline resulted in a yellow card. Uttoxeter were able to exploit the weakened Burton defence by scoring a converted try towards the end. The match finished with the final score 10:7, Burton the deserved winners of a hard fought contest.