Burton suffered a defeat similar to that they experienced at Derby two weeks ago when Kenilworth scored with the last play of the game to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a highly competitive game. Burton will be regretting late frailties in their normally strong lineout and a failure to turn territorial pressure into points as the game drew to a close.
Kenilworth kicked off the game playing with the low November sun in their eyes on a fine and dry day. In the first few minutes play was concentrated around the half-way line with possession being alternated between both sides pretty evenly. Kenilworth were the first team to make any headway into the Burton “22” as their backs handled the ball nicely. However, Burton hit straight back following a good break by skipper, Dom Taylor, supported by Chaz Bunting took play all the way into the home “22” but the move ended as possession was turned over and Burton were adjudged to be offside at the resulting breakdown.
Burton’s penalty count in these early stages was worryingly high and meant Kenilworth were able to take play back to the Burton “22” far more easily than they could have expected. Another penalty followed and it was no surprise that Kenilworth opted to kick for goal, which they did successfully to take the lead after just over 6 minutes. Kenilworth 3-0 Burton.
Burton were finding Kenilworth a bit of a handful in the set scrum early on and lost ground again as a result of a penalty. Eventually Burton were able to move the ball through the backs for the first time in the game, but a misplaced pass resulted in a home throw in at a lineout just inside the Burton half. Over the next few minutes Burton retained possession but struggled to penetrate the rush defence from Kenilworth. Some ex-player supporters were suggesting a grubber kick through this defensive line would be an ideal tactic and shortly after this Will Simpson was the provider as Alex Nesbitt chased though, collected the ball, and went round under the posts for the first try of the game after 15 minutes, which was converted by Simpson Burton took the lead. Kenilworth 3-7 Burton.
From the re-start there was a big shout for offside as a chasing group of around 10 players were all in front of the kicker, but this was not spotted by the referee and Burton were able to clear the long kick up to the home “22” on the right-hand side for a Burton throw. Possession reverted to the home team after a good box kick was very well taken by the home left winger and the ball was moved in the hands very well back up to the Burton 10-metre line. At this stage the game was being dominated by both teams’ defensive efforts and as a consequence, play was concentrated around the half-way line. Burton did threaten to break this stranglehold but were forced into touch on the “22”. There seemed to be a lack of the normal sparkle in their play which was beginning to worry some of the travelling supporters.
The Burton penalty count continued to be disrupting and Burton were forced to concede territory as a result. With just over 20 minutes of play gone Burton rotated their forwards with Steve Hunt replacing John Kirwan. The middle of the field tussle continued over the next few minutes until the deadlock was broken by the home team who scored a try in the left corner after 35 minutes. The conversion was missed but Kenilworth had re-taken the lead. Kenilworth 8-7 Burton.
Burton’s response to this was immediate as a good re-start kick was well chased by Will Derry and having caught the ball, he sprinted clear of a shocked home defence to score just to the left of the posts. Simpson surprisingly missed the conversion, but Burton were again in the lead by just 4 points. Kenilworth 8-12 Burton. As half-time approached Burton tried to get their game going but were guilty of over-playing and were unable to hit their normal momentum or rhythm.
Burton kicked-off the second half looking to capitalise on a big weakness in the home teams’ ability to deal with the high kick and used this tactic to great effect in the early stages of the second half. However, they were unable to turn this pressure into points and the visiting spectators became a little concerned, particularly as the home team looked to run the ball back at will. Burton’s next attack used the kick through the advancing line almost to great effect as the home team’s cover defence just beat the Burton follow-up to the touchdown.
With Kenilworth now resorting to the box kick game for a while Burton looked to have claimed a tactical victory in that the home team were no longer running at them at will. With 10 minutes of the half gone, Burton extended their lead with a converted try following some great inter-play between forwards and backs resulted in Bunting scoring their third try under the posts. Simpson added the conversion and Burton increased their lead to 11points. Kenilworth 8-19 Burton.
The high penalty count against Burton continued during the second half meaning their territorial advantage could not be converted into more points and it was Kenilworth who were next to score a converted try after 15 minutes, following a sustained series of attacking phases, therefore reducing the lead to within one score again. Kenilworth 15-19 Burton. With the set scrum still under severe pressure Burton were effectively living off scraps of possession which led to them forcing play and other simple errors did not help their cause either.
As the second period drew to a close Burton supporters must have thought they had weathered the Kenilworth storm as neither side were able to make the breakthrough they really wanted. Burton did enjoy a prolonged period in the home danger zone but were unable to make this count. With time rapidly running out the home side switched their tactics to a grubber kick through and their winger just beat the covering Burton defenders to score a match winning try with the last play of the game. Even though the conversion was missed Kenilworth had stolen victory by a single point to leave Burton heartbroken and wondering how they had been edged out of that game. Man of the match went to Will Derry for a great all-round performance,
With other results going in Burton’s favour, they remain in touch with the group of teams chasing leaders Dudley Kingswinford. A rest week means that the local derby against Lichfield in two weeks’ time at Battlestead Croft is an opportunity to put a few things right and regain the fluidity in their play that has been sadly l