Excellent Performance in Atrocious Conditions Seals A Great Win Over Banbury

Burton took on 3rd placed Banbury at Battlestead Croft eager to put a few things right from their disappointing defeat at Kenilworth 2 weeks ago. Congratulations must go to both teams for serving up such a high-quality game of rugby in conditions that deteriorated as the game progressed. Banbury kicked off and Burton put together several good handling phases that took them back into their opponents’ half and a scintillating break from Nial Collett, on his return to the team following a concussion injury, just inside the visitors’ “22” where he found the supporting Chaz Bunting with a beautifully timed pass to give Burton the perfect start, Dom Phillips slotted the conversion with ease with the game barely a minute old. Burton 7-0 Banbury.
The re-start was well taken by Burton, but any territorial progress was curtailed following an injury to a Banbury player that required treatment. The game re-commenced with a scrum, which the Burton pack, to the delight of the home supporters, showed real dominance by pushing back their opponents with apparent ease and were rewarded with a penalty decision, which Bunting kicked to touch just inside their own 10-metre line on the right. The catch and drive movement was once again executed in style and Burton were almost back in their opponents’ half. They had the opportunity to make even more territorial gain when a penalty was awarded to them after a Banbury player entered the maul from the side.
Burton’s good start continued and drew a succession of penalties, and the referee issued a warning to the visitors, which they did not seem very happy with until they were awarded a penalty of their own a few moments later, which allowed them to clear almost up to the half-way line and then to the Burton “22” as the penalty flow switched in the visitors’ favour. Banbury then had their first attempt handling the ball but an error in midfield gave Burton the put-in at a scrum in centre field. With the first half approaching its mid-point Banbury were beginning to enjoy the lions share of possession and it was no surprise that they forced their way over the line for their first points of the game following some excellent handling although they were made to work very hard for this score by the Burton defence. The conversion from just to the left of the posts was successful and the scores were tied. Burton 7-7 Banbury.
The response from Burton was quick as they once again executed their catch and drive routine with magnificent skill and effect and James Davies touched down on the right after 23 minutes. Phillips was spot on with the conversion Burton had retaken the lead. Burton 14-7 Banbury. For the next five minutes or so there was a mini stalemate as neither side was able to retain possession for a number of phases due to the quality of the defensive efforts of both teams. However Burton did increase their lead further after 33 minutes, when Phillips converted a penalty attempt from just to the right of the posts. Burton 17-7 Banbury.
One of the most pleasing aspects of Burton’s display was their game management, which, on occasions this season, has let them down but decision making and doing the right thing at the right time was as good as it gets throughout this match. Having said that Burton did have a scare just before half-time as they came under increasing pressure on their own line as Banbury searched for their second try of the game. In a breakdown just short of the line Phillips was adjudged to have illegally stripped the ball and was shown a yellow card. The Burton defence scrambled and fought with all their might and there was great relief when the referee called time to bring an end to a very entertaining half with Burton holding a 10-point lead.
Ther second half started well again for Burton, but without the excellent score that had taken place in the same period of the first half. Even so all the early action took place in the Banbury end of the pitch. The rain had become much heavier over the half-time break which would be a challenge for both teams, but the quality of handling remained at a high standard as both teams continued to press and seek to convert any opportunities that came their way. However, with the defensive efforts of both teams remaining dominant there were very few clear-cut opportunities evident. Banbury had the opportunity to reduce the deficit mid-way through the half with a long-range penalty attempt, which missed just to the left of the posts and Burton then extended their lead when Phillips converted his second penalty of the game with just 10 minutes remaining. Burton 20-7 Banbury.
Each side had one final opportunity apiece before the end of the game but were unable to make the final pass or offload that would have unlocked the respective defence. The game concluded in torrential rain however, it was a tremendous advert for level 5 rugby played in a competitive but fair manner. Burton move up to 4th in the league just 1 point behind Banbury and should look forward with confidence to another difficult challenge away at Syston next weekend. Man of the match was Joe Gazzard, who did a sterling job at prop.