REGIONAL CHAMPTIONS

Burton v Old Halesonians
Under 17’s Regional Shield Final Coventry Broad Street 3rd April 2011

Following their semi-final victory a fortnight ago, Burton travelled to Coventry for the regional final encounter against Old Halesonians, the side well supported by a full coach of supporters.

As the teams ran onto the pitch, the Halesowen forwards looked daunting. Nevertheless, the Burton fly-half elected to test the scrums at first opportunity (!), which Burton won against the head, as they did the first line-out. The match progressed for the next 20 minutes as a bruising forward encounter, play staying virtually within 10m of the half-way line as the forwards slogged it out. Flanker Sam Halton in particular never let up in pressure on his opposing forwards, continually sniping around the fringes and, pinching and ripping ball. During this period, Burton made only one significant foray into their opponents twenty-two, and on that occasion they were unlucky not to put points on the board.

With play very tight, Halesowen won a penalty and duly took the lead at 3-0 close to half time. As the half closed it was clear that the forwards were finely balanced, but as Burton clearly had the upper hand in the set pieces they could be optimistic for points in the second half.

As the second half began, both sides showed more willingness to adventure. Halesowen pressed and Burton countered with a strong run out of defence by Jack Champney. Winger Callum Nicholls put in a superb low kick which made ground on the left. Under pressure Halesowen ran the ball out and threatened a breakaway, only for scrum-half Henry Andrew to break their attack with a solid tackle.

Burton continued to be greatly superior in the set-pieces, with Marcus Armitage and Alistair Weedon lifted precisely to catch all their line-outs, and steal a good number of their opponents, and James Gibbons solid as a rock at prop. This was not alone enough to break their opponents defence. As the tightly fought match ticked on, it became increasingly clear that one piece of adventurous play, or a break-away, would probably produce the winning points. As the forwards slogged it out with bodies on the line up front, the Burton backs were playing rather dangerously, eschewing the simple option as they tried to force the opening by sharp passing and sleight of hand.

When the break came, Halesowen were pressing on the Burton right. The defending Burton forwards secured the ball on the touchline, Henry Andrew and Chris Sammons doing well to keep the ball in play by a hairs breadth. Quick ball was passed to forward Jack Champney who made good ground in the centre, offloading to James Gibbons on his shoulder. With a solid ruck, the ball was re-circulated left, through each player in the back line to winger Callum Nicholls. With the increased confidence which he had been showing throughout the second half, he opened the defence with great acceleration and was able to offload to inside centre Charles Popp who had done well to stay with him. In turn he passed the ball to Eddie Runagle, which was taken over for the try. The actual scorer is immaterial, this was a try contributed by players in all departments of the team, in a continuous succession of phases which took the ball from deep in the twenty-two to the opposite side of the pitch and the try-line.

With Burton having a slender 5 – 3 lead, the game reverted to a forwards match. As they pressed forward, Halesowen won a kickable penalty and the ground fell silent. With echoes of a semi at Trentham in years gone by, the ball went wide and the Burton supporters breathed again. During the final 10 minutes, play returned to an area around the half way line. As the final whistle went Burton celebrated as the worthy victors of a closely fought and absorbing match played in good spirit by the teams, to the generous applause of both sets of supporters.

As the long awaited silverware was presented to the Burton captain, Alistair Weedon, tears were shed, not least by the latter’s father and coach, and by well known, Clive “softy” Armitage (the artist formerly known as “shag”). Fortunately both sons are made of sterner stuff.

The players and the supporter’s buses returned to Burton for Mothers Day lunch at the club, served to the squad and supporters, and more particularly the mum’s, by the coaches. The day was to finish with the team and families enjoying an extended celebratory party at Drage Grange, and looking forward to a trip to the national semi-final at Doncaster in a fortnight’s time.

IGW (live from a bus somewhere in the East Midlands) 03.04.11