Burton Progress to Regional Semi

Burton under 17s v Grimsby
6th March 2011 Burton 12: Grimsby 3

aka - “Didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to Cleethorpes”

Burton undertook the long coach trip to the east coast in the Regional competition with an early start which took in a morning training session at Grimsby Leisure Centre prior to the afternoon kick-off.

The Burton kick-off was fielded and early play was confined to a series of forward encounters. The first attack by the home side was disrupted by good defensive work and a clearance kick by the fly-half which was chased down and pinched by flanker Chesterman. The backs came into the game with wing Eddie Runagle making a typically strong run down the right-hand side. The Burton line-out was looking good and the visitors pack worked its way down the pitch, but Grimsby were able to counter. The forwards were evenly matched in the scrum, although the home side was aided by somewhat blatant feeding by their scrum-half, to the extent that the ball repeatedly bounced off the foot of their second row and back out. Showing some frustration, Burton were penalised and Grimsby opened the scoring with a penalty after 30 minutes.

Soon after Burton were awarded a penalty. Showing considerable guile, Charles Popp was able to hit the post and direct the ricochet towards Chris Sammons, who was alive to the opportunity, collecting and going over for the try. It was duly converted, as Burton took the lead on the point of half-time.

In the second-half the Grimsby kick-off was collected and the ball set by the rock-solid Champney as the home side came out strongly as predicted. Nevertheless, the Burton scrum was strong and the line-out dominant. With both sides showing no restraint a brief fracas correctly resulted in a yellow card for each side.

Hooker Chris Sammons, who was to have a great game, made a jinking run out of defence, offloading to captain and No 8 Alistair Weedon but the attack was disrupted. Grimsby came back and again Burton found themselves on the back foot. Henry Andrew who had come on as scrum-half personally destroyed the Grimsby platform as he anticipated a pass and hit the receiving player, lifting and driving him back from the 5m to the 22m line.

Play moved up the pitch via drive and maul as Burton began to sap the home sides defence. Each of the forwards showed great mobility and handling skills, with work by Sam Halton and Seb Chesterman noticeable. (Note: apologies from this reporter to Halton for the incorrect attribution of his charge down which led to a try in last week’s match against Tamworth). Grimsby, beginning to tire, resorted to kicking out of defence, but each time it was safely collected and Burton brought the ball back. Seeing the opportunity to run, Sammons again broke. With players on his shoulder he passed to Ashley Allum and in turn to Eddie Runagle who accelerated away for a well worked try, as the visitors went ahead 12:3.

To their credit, the score appeared to rejuvenate Grimsby who came back with commendable enthusiasm as they upped their game and their scrum began to take charge. As they set up camp on the Burton try-line, their repeated low drives were superbly held by a valiant and well organised defence and the match closed with no further score as Burton finished the well-deserved winners.

Each and every Burton player showed their determined and unrelenting commitment to the team in today’s match and in truth every one of the players deserves a mention in this report.

The travellers retired to the clubhouse and the convivial post-match atmosphere, enjoyed by players and family alike. The day was completed by victorious coaches Drage, Weedon and Bird taking all (with thanks to the indulgence of the driver and Cresswell’s Coaches) for a trip to the seaside at Cleethorpes where everyone enjoyed a slap up fish and chip supper with lashings of ketchup, to finish what all agreed was a superbly organised “grand day out”.