Bromsgrove Hang on Despite Strong Last Quarter From Burton

Burton travelled to Bromsgrove in the knowledge that a bonus point win could see them leapfrog their opponents into 3rd position in the league, but they had to settle for two points and dropped to 6th as they were totally outscored for three quarters of the game and trailed 33-5 before staging a gallant comeback in the final quarter which saw them score 21 unanswered points. Unavailability and injuries meant several changes to the starting line-up and perhaps that explained why it took Burton so long to grow into the game against a big and strong Bromsgrove team.
Burton kicked off deep, playing against a slight breeze and Bromsgrove’s clearance kick took play back to the halfway line. From the resulting line-out Burton were penalised and Bromsgrove had the first opportunity to test the Burton defence from just outside the “22” but a knock on halted any meaningful progress. Burton enjoyed their first muti-phase period of possession and found it difficult to break through the home defensive line although they too got as far as the “22” but Bromsgrove were able to clear following a poor grubber kick from Burton, back up to the halfway line.
The opening 10 minutes or so saw similar patterns of play and no serious threats to either try line as the defensive efforts of both teams came out on top. Indeed this continued almost until the half hour mark when an excellent Bromsgrove handling move opened up the Burton defence for the first time and lead to the first score of the game. Unluckily the attempted conversion hit the post and rebounded out. Bromsgrove 5-0 Burton.
Not for the first time this season Burton put themselves back under immediate pressure as the re-start kick went straight into touch, giving Bromsgrove a scrum on the halfway line. A good kick from the base of the scrum took play back into the Burton “22” but Bromsgrove knocked on at the lineout and Burton cleared the danger, albeit temporarily as Bromsgrove began to threaten further. There was a let-off for Burton as Bromsgrove took too much time with a line-out on the Burton 5-metre line and the referee awarded Burton a free kick, which was cleared almost to their own 10-metre line.
Bromsgrove scored their second try with just 2 or 3 minutes remaining in the half and a successful conversion opened up a 12-point lead. Bromsgrove 12-0 Burton. However, Burton hit back straight away after they were awarded a lineout just outside the home “22” as the ball was kicked straight into touch following the restart. Burton then had to make a change as coach Harry Titley made a rare appearance in place of Will Derry who injured his hand. Burton’s catch and drive move worked wonders once again and James Davies got Burton’s first score of the game. Unfortunately Dom Phillips’ kick just missed the target, but Burton were back to within one score as the half-time whistle blew. Bromsgrove 12-5 Burton.
The second half began with all to play for, but it was Bromsgrove who appeared to have the greater appetite for victory as Burton were hindered by some silly errors that put them on the backfoot in the opening minutes. Bromsgrove did not waste their chance to score a third try after just 3 minutes, and a successful conversion gave them a 14-point lead. Bromsgrove 19-5 Burton. Burton responded well again and made their way into the Bromsgrove “22”, but they were not able to make the breakthrough they desperately wanted as Bromsgrove forced their way back into the Burton “22” utilising their powerful forwards to good effect. Bromsgrove should have extended their lead further in this period but were frustrated by their own simple errors.
However after 13 minutes they did score their bonus point try following a well worked driving maul from short range and with a successful conversion Burton had a mountain to climb to get back into the match. Bromsgrove 26-5 Burton. Although over the next few minutes Burton enjoyed more of the possession, they were not able to make any substantial gain in territory as Bromsgrove’s defence stood firm. Bromsgrove hit back again and were unlucky not to score another try as they opened up a tiring Burton defence, but the referee awarded a penalty to Burton for crossing. It was Burton’s turn to impose themselves on the game now, but they were guilty of trying too hard and forcing things rather than being patient and letting the opportunities materialise. Some passes went astray, and wrong options taken meant they were not able to convert pressure into points and even when they did get over the try line from another well worked catch and drive move, the referee was unable to see any evidence of a grounding of the ball, so he awarded a 5-metre scrum to Bromsgrove.
Things got worse for Burton when Bromsgrove, having made their way into the Burton “22”, took advantage of a poor defensive clearance and scored another try which was converted to give them what looked like an unassailable lead with 23 minutes to go. Bromsgrove 33-5 Burton. From this stage onwards, Burton began to pick up their game and started to dominate possession and territory and suddenly the hosts began to look nervous and vulnerable. Burton were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try as they battered the home defence with a driving maul which was collapsed as it went over the line. The resulting penalty was kicked to touch and signalled a second catch and drive move with Davies again being the scorer. Phillips added the conversion and Burton had started to close the deficit. Bromsgrove 33-12 Burton.
Three minutes later and Burton gave themselves a fighting chance of stealing victory as they got themselves back in the home “22” and moved the ball left to right for Phillips to score Burton’s 3rd try, which he then converted to close the gap to 14 points with 6 minutes to go. Bromsgrove 33-19 Burton. Try as they might Burton still found the home defence hard to break down but, they would not be deprived of a try bonus point which they secured with the last play of the game from another great lineout catch and drive move which gave Davies his hat-trick try in the left corner. Phillips secured the losing bonus point with an excellent conversion and despite the loss Burton supporters were pleased with the grit and determination shown by the team in securing those 2 points.
Burton still have something to play for as the top half of the league is still very tight, apart from the top 2 who are well ahead. Depending on other results they could finish as high as 4th with bonus point wins over bottom two teams Broadstreet and Old Halesonians. Man of the match went to former captain Dom Taylor who is finally getting back to his best following a long-term injury. Finally congratulations to Connor Bassett who made his debut appearance for the 1st XV at the tender age of just 17, coming on as a replacement and acquitting himself very well – congratulations to him and his parents who watched the game and, no doubt were very proud of him!