Burton Earn Hard Fought Win Over Local Rivals Derby

Having been on the wrong end of two extremely close results last season, Burton came into the game against local rivals, Derby determined to get back to winning ways following successive defeats in their last two Regional 1 Midlands fixture. Injuries in last week’s defeat at Oxford Harlequins meant several changes, particularly in the backs, were required so this would be a real test for the home team. Both Will Simpson and Alex Nesbitt made their 100th appearance and there was a debut for Jacob Ruprecht. Conditions for the game were dry and warm with a breeze blowing down the pitch from right to left looking from the stand.
Burton kicked off the game playing against the breeze and were penalised almost immediately for offside, giving Derby the chance to get into the Burton half. A good tackle in midfield led to Burton turning over possession and they found it difficult to gain territory against a solid looking Derby defence. A series of poor kicks from both sides then followed and the game was re=started with a scrum to Burton almost on halfway after the last kick from Derby went out of play behind the posts.
The first opportunity to open the scoring fell to Derby but the well struck penalty hit the post. Although Burton cleared the ball they remained in their own “22” having to defend a Derby lineout. Derby took advantage of missed tackles and opened the scoring with a converted try after 11 minutes. Burton 0-7 Derby. The game remained lacking in real quality but there was no shortage of effort from either side. Derby were guilty of kicking the ball straight into touch from just outside their own ”22” giving Burton the throw at a lineout on the right. Burton were eager to get back on level terms and this they did following several phases of play where they were able to make some headway through the Derby defence. A crossfield kick found Cyruss Griffiths on the right wing and when the ball was moved back to the left, John Kirwan scored Burton’s first try of the game after almost 14 minutes. Bunting added the conversion to level the scores. Burton 7-7 Derby.
From the re-start Burton looked to get straight back into Derby territory and looked dangerous when moving the ball through the hands, but they were frustrated by some handling errors and were unable to build momentum. Derby were able to clear following a penalty offence by the home team and shortly after found the home defence wanting as a good handling move saw them score on the left midway through the half. A successful conversion meant they had opened up a 7-point lead for the second time. Burton 7-14 Derby. The next score went to Derby after they had withstood substantial pressure from Burton who were enjoying periods of possession but still finding it hard to break down a stubborn Derby defence. Having made their way steadily into the Burton half Derby were awarded a penalty and a beautifully struck kick divided the uprights, and the lead was now 10 points with around 10 minutes of the half remaining. Burton 7-17 Derby.
Burton realised the need for them to reduce the deficit before half time to give them a better chance of victory in the second period when they had the advantage of the breeze at their backs. Burton’s play up to the break was commendable in terms of patience and persistence as they kept possession for almost all the time remaining, looking to tie in defenders and then move the ball wide. This they did to the delight of the home supporters as full back Jacob Ruprecht scored on his debut in the left corner just before the break. Bunting was unsuccessful with a difficult conversion, but Burton were back within one score of their visitors. Burton 12-17 Derby. There was barely any further time left to play in the half, so the second period was set up to be a thriller.
The second half started with Burton handing the initiative straight to Derby as they retained possession of their own kick and made some headway into the Burton half. The early stages of the half saw Derby dominate possession and Burton had to work really hard to stay in the game. It came as no surprise with the half just over 2 minutes old Derby scored with a great handling move from left to right. The difficult conversion was unsuccessful, but Derby had reinstated their 10-point lead. Burton 12-22 Derby. An injury to Nial Collett saw him make way for Simpson, who was immediately in the thick of the action as he broke through the middle and fed the supporting Andy Martin who scored just to the right of the posts. A successful conversion by Bunting reduced the arrears to just 3 points and it was definitely game on now. Burton 19-22 Derby.
Not to be out done Derby hit back yet again as they retained possession from the re-start and made their way deep into Burton territory and scored their bonus point converted try on the left in the 7th minute. Burton 19-29 Derby. The ding-dong battle continued as Burton once again hit back almost immediately with James Davies getting the touchdown for their bonus point try with a great catch and drive move from the Burton pack. A brilliant conversion by Bunting reduced the arrears to just 3 points once again. Burton 26-29 Derby.
An offence following the re-start gave Burton the chance to clear downfield and go in search of another score. The Burton pack were now in the mood for another catch and drive move but were stopped illegally so had a further opportunity to repeat the move from just 5-metres this time. Derby held strong this time and Burton changed tactics as they ran the ball wide to the right only for the final pass to go astray denying what would have been an excellent try.
Burton were piling on the pressure now and from the Derby scrum on their 5-metre line Burton were awarded another penalty following an excellent drive forced Derby to collapse. A kick to touch set up another catch and drive move which Burton were not about to waste as once again Davies got the touchdown 23 minutes into the half. Bunting struck the post with the conversion, but Burton were in the lead for the first time in the game. Burton 31-29 Derby. The home supporters were now sensing a much-needed win was now in Burton’s grasp and the big Derby forwards began to tire there could only be one winner surely? Burton’s cause was aided further when the referee issued a yellow card to a Derby player for a high tackle.
The Burton pack now had the upper hand in the set scrum and forced Derby to offend at almost every scrum for the rest of the game. The pressure from Burton was now relentless and it was no surprise when Burton extended their lead with a try by Charles Austin after 71 minutes. Remarkably Bunting hit the upright yet again and it rebounded to safety, so Burton’s lead increased to 7 points. Burton 36-29 Derby. It was then Derby’s turn to respond immediately this time following another error from the home team which allowed Derby to score an unconverted try with just 8 minutes remaining. Burton 36-34 Derby.
Burton supporters were now extremely anxious bearing in mind the one-point losses in both games against Derby last season but to their credit the players were having none of it as they dominated the next few minutes of the game and effectively sealed the win with a final try, a second of the game from Andy Martin with 3 minutes remaining. Bunting converted to give Burton a 9-point advantage. Burton 43-34 Derby. Despite a last rally by the spirited Derby side it was Burton who ran out winners of an enthralling battle. The win for Burton sees them move above Derby, level on 12 points with next week’s opponents, Bridgnorth, which has always proved a difficult place for them to get a result.