Burton Win Close Game At Banbury With A Great Second Half Performance

Following last week’s disappointing loss at Derby, Burton travelled down the M40 for a mid-table clash with Banbury, who had won both their previous league games, hoping to avoid a third straight loss. Trailing by 6 points at half time Burton did not concede any points in the second half whilst they put in a sterling second half display to run out deserved winners in a keenly contested encounter. Burton played with a slight breeze behind them in the first half but conceded two tries to non from a lively Banbury side.
Banbury started the game in an impressive manor and thought they had scored the opening try with their first attack of the game but for a knock on in the attempt to ground the ball. Burton dropped out from behind the posts and another knock on gave them the put-in at a scrum. Having made their way into the Banbury half Burton tried to move the ball from right to left but an interception, followed by a penalty for not releasing in the tackle saw them concede territory back to their own 5-metre line.
Having averted this early scare, Burton gradually began to gain territory and very soon found themselves at the opposite end of the pitch threatening to get their own early score, recycling very effectively. Eventually they were awarded a kickable penalty, which Dom Phillips made no mistake with and after 8 minutes Burton took the lead. Banbury 0-3 Burton. Banbury continued to be a threat following the re-start and the travelling Burton supporters were concerned that their team were struggling to cope with the intensity of the home attacks. This concern was to continue as Banbury continued to apply pressure, but the Burton defence was strong and prevented the home team from crossing the try-line.
Banbury eventually broke through the Burton defence after 15 minutes as the pressure told and a successful conversion gave them a 4-point lead. Banbury 7-3 Burton. The re-start saw Burton gain good territory and start to build a degree of momentum, but it was clear to see they were unable to produce their normal fluidity and threat in attack and they were not able to break through the home defence. The game was concentrated either side of the 22 metre lines as neither side was able to penetrate the defensive line until about 3 minutes before half-time when Burton were awarded another kickable penalty following the first really good handling move by them backs. Phillips duly converted to bring Burton back within 1 point. Banbury 7-6 Burton.
Burton would nave been very pleased to get to half-time with the score as it stood but they were undone, following a yellow card for Chaz Bunting reducing Burton to 14 players, by a rampant home attack, which led to their second try on the stroke of half-time. Although the conversion was missed Banbury went into the dressing room holding a 6-point lead. Banbury 12-6 Burton and their had to be a big improvement from Burton if they were to get something from the game.
The start of the second half was as good as it gets for Burton as they moved the ball well directly from the kick off and Tommy Collingwood broke through and then outran any cover defence to score a great morale boosting try. Phillips added the conversion to take Burton into the lead again. Banbury 12-13 Burton. Although Banbury put Burton under pressure immediately after the re-start with a penetrating kick through, Burton this time adopted an effective exit strategy which took play up to their own 10-metre line. Soon after this, having regained possession, they moved the ball very nicely through the hands and looked more dangerous than they had so far in the game. The move was halted by an excellent tackle on Tristan DeJager as he threatened to break clear on the right.
With a little more fluidity back in the Burton game they began to build pressure on the home defence. Burton’s efforts were beginning to cause some concern to the home side, but a rising penalty disrupted any real progress at this stage. A great catch and drive move from Burton looked like it may produce the next score but somehow Banbury stole the ball and were able to clear the immediate danger. It was encouraging to see that with just 14 players on the pitch Burton were able to control the game and avoid conceding any further points. Indeed another good handling move gave the travelling Burton supporters even more encouragement. Once Bunting was reinstated Burton began to take greater control of the game although Banbury were not without their own opportunities of adding to their score and the game was very finely balanced.
As the half progressed the penalty count began to swing in Burton’s favour, and they were able to relieve pressure with some fine kicks to touch by Will Simpson. Burton began to gain and retain possession of the ball and with this the confidence began to return to their handling play from backs and forwards alike. In the 29th minute of the half Burton were able to extend their lead with a fine handling phase of play involving forwards and backs with DeJager getting the touchdown on the left. The final result was still in some doubt though as Phillips conversion just missed to the left of the posts giving Burton a 6-point lead.
To the great delight of the Burton supporters and, no doubt, the players there was to be no repeat of last week’s late comeback by Derby and Burton held on for a deserved win. Even so Burton slip one place to 7th in the league with the re-arranged home game against Kenilworth to come next week.