Burton narrow the gap

Burton under 17’s v Walsall 21.11.10

Burton entertained Walsall on the Oxhay. The visitors were out of the blocks strongly, pressing on the Burton right and charging down a clearance kick. Burton were able to disrupt a scrum and Charles Popp, returning from Moulton College to play at centre put in a strong tackle. Nevertheless Walsall went through for a try under the posts after 5 minutes, subsequently converted.

On the re-start Burton replied strongly with a strong run from James Wedgewood, also welcomed back following duties at Denstone, passing crisply to Seb Chesterman who was able to put in a clever grubber kick deep in the Walsall half. Burton stole the resultant line-out and only quality defence held back Jack Champney.

The following period saw desperate Burton defence with a missed Walsall penalty. Pressure was relieved by a strong run out of defence by Will Turner at No 8, passing to Joe Bird who was to have a very good game on the left wing. Soon after he picked up the ball one-handed (a’la Brian O’Driscoll in Dublin), made ground and the subsequent move saw Walsall conceding a penalty, kicked by Charles Popp to reduce the gap to 7:3.

Just before half time, Burton were camped on the Walsall line but the visitors were able to hold until the whistle without further score.

On the re-start Walsall again came out strongly and their backs looked to have scored a try, only for Wedgewood, who was having a superb game, to race back diagonally and hold up the ball. However Walsall were looking dangerous when their backs had ball in hand and with a bewildering series of dummy runs and slight of hand they crossed the line under the posts, the converted try extending the lead.

Despite trailing, Burton were turning the screw, the forwards winning line-out ball consistently and more than holding the scrum. Flanker Marcus Armitage made ground in the middle of the pitch, half tackled but rolling on. It was now Walsall who were conducting desperate but well drilled defence as they were able to hold repeated drives from the Burton forwards. Illegal use of hands in the ruck eventually led to a yellow card for Walsall, but it was to be too late for the home side as the match finished with the visitors winning 14:3.

Whilst the result was disappointing, the Burton defence was strong throughout and a marked improvement to the last meeting between these teams. Each and every Burton player put in unrelenting effort which might have produced a different result against any other team faced thus far this season.