Going into the visit of Burton, Oundle had 3 wins from 6 home games, so this was going to a test for the visitors. There was no wind or slope to influence proceedings, but the sticky mud would clear have a bearing.

Burton kicked off and Oundle kicked out on the full after moving out of the 22. Burton then knocked on and hefty home pack earned a penalty at the first scrum. Oundle made progress steadily up field through several phases and a penalty was kicked to the corner. A clean take at the lineout allowed Oundle to set up and drive over to score in the corner. The conversion was successful making it 7-0.

Jamie Dutton kicked well to touch before Oundle knocked on to begin a period of territory from Burton during which the home side gave a way three penalties. Steve Hunt & James Davies both went close from a driving maul before the backs were brought into play and Full Back Dom Tydeman went over in the corner. Will Simpson’s conversion attempt slipped wide.

Play was stuck in the middle of the field for a few minutes before a penalty was conceded by Oundle and Dutton was able to kick to the 22. Cal Donnelly caught Davies’s throw and the maul was set up swiftly before being driven over the line for Davies to touch down. Simpson was converted and Burton held a 12-7 lead.

Burton showed good hands before conceding a penalty for holding on. Oundle then attacked and made ground easily due to missed tackles. Burton scrambled and turned the ball over but knocked on at the 22. Burton was now holding in the scrum, but Oundle used a solid platform and their 8 & 9 linked perfectly to exploit the blindside and the latter dotted down for a try which went unconverted leaving the scores level at 12 all with 22 minutes played.

Burton launched an attack after Jack Barry Neale stole a lineout but after Henry Knox raced on to Dutton’s cross-field kick Burton were unable to profit.

Hunt had a sustained a knock to the shoulder and was replaced by Ed Henry. Play stayed in the Oundle half as Simpson, Knox & Lewis Sturgess linked well to apply pressure. Oundle turned the ball over but made little ground trying to clear and Burton were able to drive over and set up a second try for Davies which went unconverted. The score-line of 17-12 stood at half-time.

The second half began with Will Derry retrieving Dutton’s Kick Off. Burton applied pressure with a couple of diagonal grubber kicks and the second of these was carried over by the home wing in their right corner. Chaz Bunting released the backs who executed with perfect handling to put Knox over a try beside the right-hand corner flag. Simpson stroked over the kick and Burton led 24-12. This lead would mean the home side really needed to score next and their hopes of doing so would be lifted quite soon.

Burton Tight Head Prop Matt Tivey committed a high tackle on half-way as an attacker cut back inside and was given a yellow card for the offence. Soon afterwards Oundle had a scrum meaning Spuddy Taylor needed to give way for Joe Gazzard to come off the bench and slot in at Tight Head. The seven-man Burton pack slithered back in the mud as they tried in vain to hold the power coming through from the Oundle eight. This process was repeated three times as Oundle were awarded penalties and play moved close to the Burton line. Gazzard was the unfortunate recipient of a yellow card reducing Burton to thirteen players. For some reason Oundle switched tactics and this was to cost them as from the quick tap Henry and Donnelly combined to hold the ball up over the line and Dutton could relieve pressure with a drop-out from under the posts. Oundle then threw everything at Burton, but the defence was superb keeping play away from the danger area and Burton held out until numbers were restored.

Play was stuck in midfield for a spell with neither team able to build up momentum. Henry and Donnelly then made strong carries from halfway and Burton were able to maintain territory in the Oundle half. Burton had a lineout close in and playing it safe with front-ball, they had a platform to drive over and Davies completed his hat-trick. Bunting stroked over the kick and the score was then 12-31 with no further time to play.

A very solid performance from Burton and a Try Bonus Point gained in conditions not best suited to their style of play. This the first game of the second half of the season allowed Burton to climb to fourth in the league and look forward to hosting Stoke next Saturday.