Great Start To 2024 For Burton

Past fixtures between Burton and Bridgnorth have usually been very close-run affairs but an impressive performance from the home team put the last two disappointing results in 2023 well and truly behind them and gave the large “Former Players Lunch” crowd at Battlestead Croft the best possible start to 2024. Head Coach Harry Titley was able to name a strong starting line-up which included George Boughey at number 8 who has joined from Newport.
Bridgnorth kicked off the game and beat Burton to the high ball which they took to the first maul where Burton were penalised for offside, giving the visitors a chance to open the scoring within the first minute. The attempt at goal struck the left post and rebounded away and Burton were able to clear almost up to the half-way line. A lively looking Bridgnorth side were soon on the attack again and they moved the ball from left to right and exposed a big gap in the Burton defence and resulted in them scoring a converted try after just 3 minutes. Burton 0-7 Bridgnorth.
Fortunately Burton hit straight back with a converted try of their own as Will Hopwood charged down an attempted clearance kick and Niall Collett was on hand to touch down under the posts. Dom Phillips added the extras, and it was all-square again. Burton 7-7 Bridgnorth. From the re-start John Kirwan made a great break which took them all the way up to the visitors’ 5-metre line on the left. After several phases of play the ball was re-cycled and moved right and a breakthrough in midfield set-up Burton for their second try of the game scored by the supporting Chaz Bunting under the posts. Phillips made no mistake with the conversion and Burton moved 7 points clear after 11 minutes. Burton 14-7 Bridgnorth.
The next few minutes the intensity of the game elevated and both defences were tested as play fluctuated from one half to the other in equal measure. The next score came as a result of one of a number of penalties and it went to the visitors with a very well struck attempt at goal, after 18 minutes, was signalled as successful although many of the crowd felt it was just short. Burton 14-10 Bridgnorth. With defences on both sides having the upper hand it would take something special to break the stalemate status. As the half hour approached Burton scored their third try when moving the ball from right to left just inside the Bridgnorth half an outstanding break by Alex Nesbitt unlocked the visitors defence and a well-timed pass to Bunting saw him score his second try to the left of the posts. Phillips dragged his conversion attempt narrowly to the left, but Burton once again had a good lead. Burton 19-10 Bridgnorth.
With the penalty count increasing for both sides it was almost inevitable that the next score would come from the boot, and it was Bridgnorth who claimed this after 32 minutes to close the gap to less than one score. Burton 19-13 Bridgnorth. However Burton were playing with much greater purpose and fluidity than in recent games and their bonus point try came after Will Derry made a beautiful break from outside the “22” on the left and then fed Bunting in support again to score under the posts. Phillips added the extras and Burton now had a deserved and much more comfortable lead. Burton 26-13 Bridgnorth.
Bridgnorth then began to pile the pressure on to the home defence and although Burton defended well it came at a cost as Will Simpson was shown the yellow card for a deliberate knock on as he attempted to intercept a pass near his own line with less than 5 minutes of the half remaining. Burton continued to defend for their lives again and held out on several occasions and even got themselves into the Bridgnorth half with some good handling in open play. However there was one further score before the half ended and it once again came from the Bridgnorth boot as Burton were penalised just outside their own “22”, making the half-time score Burton 26-16 Bridgnorth. The question on every home supporter’s lips was how significant would that score be in the final result?
The second half began in similar fashion to how the first ended and Burton had to withstand considerable pressure. Bridgnorth thought they had scored early on, but the referee deemed that a double movement had been committed following a desperate try saving tackle saved the day for Burton. That start did nothing to settle the nerves of the somewhat anxious home supporters, but they were relieved with that decision! Burton managed to see out the remainder of the yellow card period without conceding, but shortly after getting back to a full 15 on the pitch they were penalised, and a successful penalty closed the gap to just 7 points after 8 minutes. Burton 26-19 Bridgnorth.
It was pleasing to see Burton playing with more confidence in their own ability as they began to look more and more dangerous, particularly in open play. Another good run from Nesbitt took play from halfway to well inside the Bridgnorth “22” but any further score from either side seemed again to be some time off. Indeed it was not until the 21st minute that Burton this time were awarded a kickable penalty and Phillips duly obliged. Burton 29-19 Bridgnorth. This was quickly followed up with a second try for Derry following a very well worked catch and drive move from the Burton pack. Phillips struck a beautiful conversion again and Burton now seemed to be well in charge of the game. Burton 36-19 Bridgnorth.
Bridgnorth’s restart did not go the required 10m and Burton opted for a scrum on the halfway line. There were some fresh legs on for the Burton team as all replacements were utilised in the second half. It was also pleasing to see that Burton continued to dominate in open play for the remainder of the game although Bridgnorth did continue to be a threat on several occasions without looking like they would add to their score on account of tireless work throughout the Burton defence. With around 6 minutes of the half remaining Burton scored their final try and it was Derry who got his third wide on the left. Phillips added an excellent conversion. Burton 43-19 Bridgnorth.
Despite the scoreline Bridgnorth continued to press but the home defence stayed strong and focussed and denied them any further score in great fashion. The final action of the game was a 5-metre scrum won by Burton and the ball was cleared into touch by man of the match Bunting. A wonderful performance and result for the Burton team, probably the best they have played for some time. The win elevates them to 3rd place in the league, equal on points with Bridgnorth in 4th and a point more than Bromsgrove and Banbury 5th and 6th respectively, who have both played a game less than Burton. There is no fixture next week but Burton travel to Stoke on 27 January in good spirits and ready for what will be another tough contest.