Lichfield v Burton Staffordshire cup Semi final 14/11/16
Burton made the short journey to Lichfield on Saturday to contest the semi-final of the Staffordshire cup. Lichfield are a league above Burton in National league 3 and defeated Burton after a hard fought match in the final of the Staffs cup last season so the visitors were keen to redress the balance.

It became clear almost immediately that Burton had the stronger pack as pushed they Lichfield scrum back. The ball was passed to Nick Oxley on the left wing who made a terrific run eventually moving in field to pass to Ed Saunders who scored under the posts. Malcolm Theo kicked the conversion to make the score 0-7 after a few minutes.

The home team retaliated and hard running by their strong back line put the Burton defence under pressure. Eventually they moved the ball to the right winger who beat his man in a one on one situation to score in the corner. The try was converted by an excellent kick from the touch line. The score now even at 7-7.

The Lichfield backs were now getting into the game but Burton’s scramble defence held strong with Kelvin Browne and Lewis Sturgess in particular making try saving tackles. However a high kick by the Lichfield fly half was allowed to bounce and the ball was gathered and passed to the winger who scored in the corner. The conversion was missed making the score now 12-7.

Burton again worked their way into Lichfield territory and were awarded a penalty as the home team strayed offside. The ball was kicked to the corner and from the lineout the forwards drove to the try line. Prop Aphiwe Mahlati got the touch down. The conversion was missed so the score at half time was 12-12

The Home team started the second half well putting pressure on the visitors’ defence and eventually winning a penalty for a high tackle. The three points from the penalty were to be the last Lichfield scored in the game, as the pace of the Burton backs took the game away from them. After a break from the mobile hooker James Davies and powerful support play from the rest of the Burton pack the ball found its way to full back Malcolm Theo to score a try. He failed to add the two points.

From the kick off Burton again put the Lichfield defence under pressure. Lewis brooks made a thirty metre run but was eventually tackled by the Lichfield fullback. The ball was recycled quickly however for Harry Titley to score under the posts. Theo added the conversion.

The home team’s defence was becoming quite ragged now and one of the forwards was sent to the sin bin for tripping the Burton ball carrier. The penalty was converted by Theo making the score now 15-27.

The Lichfield backs worked their way into Burton’s half and were awarded a penalty for another high tackle. However from at the ensuing lineout they were penalised for more indiscipline and another yellow card was shown. Davies made another run out of defence and the ball was passed to Chaz Bunting who looked almost certain to score. He beat several players but in doing so travelled virtually from one wing to the other. He was eventually brought down but the ball was again recycled quickly for Lewis brooks to get his first try of the game. The try was unconverted. The final score being 15-32

Burton will take great heart from this result, beating their old rivals to reach the cup final once again. They resume their league campaign next week at Stoke.

Photos from the Game on Darryl Godden Photography Facebook Page