Burton Lose At Derby In A Thrilling Encounter

Burton came into this local derby at Derby on the back of a good performance in last week’s abandoned game against Kenilworth looking for a win to get their season back on track. Recent meetings with Derby had been very close and this was no exception, with the result decided very late on. There were several changes to the starting line up as a result of injuries and unavailability. In the forwards there was a welcome return from injury for Tommy Collingwood at hooker, Joe Shacklock and Andrew Martin came in at second row and flanker respectively and Josh Kent started at 8 following his release from Newport. In the backs Will Simpson also returned at 10. On the bench was Riley Cassidy, Callum Stokes and newcomer Tom Cotton.
Derby kicked off at their temporary home at The University of Derby as their pitch is unplayable following the floods earlier this year and retained possession, progressing into the Burton “22” but knocked on to present Burton with a scrum. Josh Kent picked up from the base and was tackled high and from the resulting penalty Burton kicked almost to halfway. The line-out was won well and Burton moved the ball well before a grubber kick through was touched down. Burton continued to put the pressure on the home defence but found it difficult to expose any gaps. However they were first to get themselves on the scoreboard after 8 minutes when Ben Smith got the touchdown wide on the left following some really good work by the Burton forwards. An excellent conversion by Dom Phillips gave Burton gave Burton a 7-point lead. Derby 0-7 Burton.
Burton were soon back in the Derby half but were penalised for not rolling away and then a very harsh second penalty took Derby into the Burton danger zone for the first time. There was then more controversy as Derby scored their first try of the game after 15 minutes with a good handling move although there was more than a suspicion of a forward pass leading up to the try. Another great conversion from the touchline tied the scores. Derby 7-7 Burton.
Following the re-start Burton continued playing with a high tempo but found the Derby defence very stubborn and difficult to breach. Equally when Derby were in possession of the ball, Burton too showed great tenacity and commitment in preventing any pressure on their own try-line. Over the next 10 minutes or so Burton began to dominate possession and build a head of steam, but they were not able to produce their normal cutting edge that has seen them score so many tries in recent seasons. When Burton eventually broke through on the right, Tristan DeJager was very well tackled by Derby’s cover defence 10 metres short of the try-line.
In the latter stages of the half Burton looked certain to be the scorers of the next try, but an interception in midfield as they were trying to move the ball wide quickly saw Derby sprint away unopposed to score under the posts with just 5 minutes to go to half-time. A successful conversion rubbed salt into the Burton wound and gave Derby the lead for the first time in the game. Derby 14-7 Burton. In spite of this setback Burton continued to dominate the game in an attempt to get back on level terms however, Derby’s defence remained steadfast, and Burton found themselves 7 points behind as the half-time whistle blew.
The second half was kicked off by Burton who new they would have to score early to give themselves hope and belief they could win. They chased the kick well pressurising the home team and eventually forced them to kick the ball out of play on their own 10-metre line on the right. The line-out was won comfortably and the ball moved to the left with skill and pace allowing Ben Meades to score in the left corner after just 3 minutes. Phillips conversion attempt struck the post and stayed out to leave Burton trailing by just 2 points. Derby 14-12 Burton.
Burton now had their tails up and continued to knock on the Derby door with [robing kicks and good handling moves across the entire team. It was no surprise therefore that Burton scored their third try of the game 6 minutes later when with the aid of a couple of penalty decisions, Burton were on the Derby 5-metre line with the throw at a line-out. Not for the first time this season Burton executed an excellent catch and drive, and Collingwood got the touchdown. Dom Phillips added an excellent conversion and Burton had a 5-point lead. Derby 14-19 Burton.
Burton’s lead was only to last 3 minutes as Derby hit back and again there was a claim from the travelling supporters that, this time a couple of passes in the move were forward but the referee allowed the try scored under the posts. A successful conversion gave Derby the lead once again and everything was to play for in an enthralling local derby. Derby 21-19 Burton.
Burton were soon back deep in Derby territory after a high tackle just after the re-start and a very good kick to touch from Will Simpson, however the referee surprisingly, blew for a knock on in the line-out and Derby were able to clear up to half-way. Burton upped the intensity a fraction and began to wear down the Derby defence a little but still found it very difficult to make any meaningful breakthrough. The game’s high penalty count was a little frustrating for both sides, but it was pleasing to see them conducting themselves in a firm but fair manner.
Burton made their way into the Derby “22” on the left and won the throw at another line-out. A good catch and drive move worked well once again and with Burton heading infield towards the posts Collingwood broke on the blind side and offloaded to Bunting who scored Burton’s bonus point try with15 minutes or so remaining. Another excellent conversion from Phillips which went in off the post this time meant Burton again had a 5-point lead. Derby 21-26 Burton.
A Derby comeback at this stage seemed unlikely but, as in previous encounters nothing could be ruled out. Worryingly for the visiting supporters this was the signal for Derby to now up their game and they began to retain possession and probe the Burton defence and gradually began to put them under pressure. Some of Burton’s exit strategy was good and they were able to keep Derby out of their danger zone.
With Derby piling the pressure on Burton now every decision was crucial, and it was Derby who got the better of these. A harsh high tackle decision in a kickable position was surprisingly kicked to touch by Derby. They were not able to convert this pressure into points at this stage as a knock-on gave Burton a scrum. Mysteriously Burton were penalised as the scrum was coming together which presented Derby with a very easy penalty attempt at goal with just 6 minutes remaining. The penalty was converted, and Derby had closed the gap to just 2 points. Derby 24-26 Burton.
It was Derby’s turn to have their tails up and they continued to search for a winning score. Burton were coping pretty well as time went on but a penalty to Derby on the half-way line was kicked to touch superbly to the 5-metre line on the left with a Derby line-out to come. Derby secured the line-out and tried to drive Burton over their own line without success, but the ball finally came back to their fly-half who calmly slotted a drop kick in the last minute of the game. Derby 27-26 Burton. There was no time for Burton to respond and they had to settle for 2 bonus points rather than the 5 they probably deserved. Burton move up one place to 6th in the league table despite this loss with a trip to 4th placed Banbury next week.