After a disappointing end to the league season and exit from the Papa John’s cup Burton travelled to Lichfield on Saturday hoping for a good end to the season by winning the Staffordshire cup against Stoke.

Burton made a bright start and from the kickoff immediately got into the Stoke half. From a lineout on the 22 metre line the Burton backs made progress towards the goal line and flanker Jack Neal joined the line in the centre to score under the posts. Will Simpson added the extra points.

From the restart the Burton backs were quickly in action again with quick passing and strong running from the likes of Simpson and Will Derry. The Burton forwards were also getting to the breakdown quicker, forcing mistakes from their opponents. Stoke were penalized on their own 22 metre line for not rolling away after a tackle and Simpson Kicked a goal to take the score to 10 – 0.

Burton were not having everything their own way and the Stoke backs showed that they were capable of running the ball. But the Burton backs were tackling well at this time and bundled the Stoke winger into touch. From the lineout good ground was made by number eight Lewis Sturgess, who always crosses the gain line each time he carries the ball, which was then passed quickly along the back line to winger Tristan De Jagger who outstripped the defence to score in the corner. Simpson kicked the conversion to make the score 17 – 0.

It was now the turn of Soke to pressurize the Burton defence and they were awarded a penalty for an offence at the breakdown and kicked for the corner. However, the throw in was not straight and Burton were awarded a scrum. Burton were penalized again, and the ball was kicked to the corner again. This time the lineout was successful and the Stoke backs Joined the maul to help drive it over the line. The kicker added the two extra points to make the score 17 – 7.

Stoke had got themselves back into the game with their backs running the ball well and now causing Burton to make defensive errors. They were awarded a penalty on the 22 metre line which the kicker slotted over to bring the score to 17- 10.

It was not long before the Stoke backs were putting pressure onto Burton again and after a missed tackle in the Centre the Stoke winger scored in the corner. This time the conversion was missed. From the restart Burton were able to carry the ball well into the stoke half where they were awarded a penalty. The ball was kicked to the corner and from the lineout the Burton forwards showed that they are also adept at driving mauls, and they did not need the backs to help them over the line. Hooker James Davies got the touchdown. This time the conversion was missed. In the remaining minutes of the first half both teams shared the possession but were unable to make much headway. The score at half time was Burton 22 Soke 15.

Stoke started the second half much more vigorously than Burton and both their backs and forwards were showing real intent with the ball in hand, testing the Burton defence. Eventually all the pressure they put on paid off. Good work by the backs and forwards combined resulted in a try by the flanker. The try was converted bringing the scores level.

The Burton supporters now feared the worse as the momentum was now with Stoke. However, Burton have shown great team spirit in recent weeks and they worked hard for each other. The ball retention was good and the backs and forwards combined to take the ball deep into the Stoke half. On the 22 metre line the referee gave a penalty advantage to Burton. Knowing a penalty was coming, fly half Jamie Dutton made a cross kick to winger Will Derry who jumped into the air and knocked the ball back to Cyrus Griffith who ran in virtually unopposed to score the team’s fourth try. Simpson again converted to make the score 29-22.

This did not kill the opposition off however and Burton still had some defending to do. Eventually Stoke were awarded a penalty. They chose to take the three points on offer to bring them within four of the Burton total.

Burton again showed great resolve and were able to again put pressure on the opposition. When they got into the Stoke 22 centre Alex Nesbitt made a break and ran in to score a try which stretched the Burton lead again. Simpson converted to make the score 36 – 25.

Burton now controlled the game and made sure they retained possession. They were awarded a penalty again as a Stoke back received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on. Burton kicked for the corner instead of taking the three points on offer but lost the ensuing lineout. It wasn’t long however before they were awarded another penalty. This time with the referee having told them that time was up they decided to kick for goal so Simpson, with the last kick of the match, added another three points to his tally for the afternoon.

This was a hard fought but thoroughly entertaining match and Burton now have a trophy at their new home at Battlestead Croft. The final Score was Burton 39 Stoke 25.