Burton began their Midlands One West campaign with a ruthless demolition of Walsall. The tone was set after just three minutes when Argentinian Prop Francisco Zeleme and Tom Harris made strong runs before Dave Archer burst through the cover for a try, which he was unable to convert.
Jack Neal collected the Kick off and then Harry Titley and Archer fed Nick Oxley on half way before the Full Back did the rest. Archer hit the post from out wide but the ball bounced clear.
Walsall mounted their first attacks but Eddie Nicholls stole at a ruck and cleared with a box-kick. The Burton scrum was in dominant form but conceded a penalty from which Walsall went on the offensive. Both sides gave up possession before Walsall used two long passes to create a try on the left wing. The conversion made the score 10-7 with sixteen minutes on the clock.
Hooker James Davies tidied from a lineout on the Burton ten meter line and then stormed 45 metres up the field before finding Nicholls in support who crossed for a score. Archer added the extra points.
Burton were playing enterprising Rugby but the next try was more pragmatic as No 8 Liam Hucknall touched down from a push-over try. Burton were attacking soon afterwards and scored a try straight from the training field. Joe Briggs took the lineout at the tail, Nicholls fed Harry Titley and aided by decoy runners he was able to carve through for a try which Archer then converted.
Eighteen year-old Tom Benjamin made an assured league debut and showed great calmness to deal with an awkward kick and then find touch nearing half way. Burton stole the ball during the resulting attack from Walsall and the Burton backs mounted a sweeping attack from their own half. Oxely was held up but Hucknall was on hand to provide continuity and Nicholls crossed for his second try. Archer rattled the upright and again the ball bounced wide.
Matt Tivey back after a neck injury made a storming run and then Josh Cartwright, Benjamin and Nicholls took the ball to within 5 meters but Burton weren’t able to score.
Half time was followed by a quiet spell before Loz Betty threw a quick lineout to Nicholls. Dewi Williams, on in place of Oxley, and Cartwright were involved in the build-up to a try for Nicholls. Archer added the conversion.
Dave Henry replaced Tom Harris before Burton scored a sevens style try with great hands from Archer, Betty and Nicholls before the Captain Titley scored. A third try in five minutes came after a scrum was won against the head and Williams made a 60 metre break on the left wing. The defence scrambled but Burton secured the ball and shipped it to the right wing where Matt Davies was able to round his opponent and score.
The Walsall No. 8 made a strong run and tested the Burton defence before Titley ran in from half way on the hour mark. Ed Henry replaced Briggs. Hucknall earned a penalty at a ruck as Walsall entered the Burton twenty two and Archer drilled the ball 60 metres into touch. Burton piled on the pressure at a scrum then Nicholls and Benjamin attacked the blind-side to give Williams a chance to cross in the corner.
Walsall attacked and Burton conceded two quick penalties but then stifled a driving maul to earn the put in at a scrum. Play moved up the field and then Burton executed their own drive perfectly with Ed Henry touching ball down.
It was relentless performance from Burton and Hooker James Davies finished it off in the last play with a try from half way. Archer’s conversion made the score 77-7. Burton top the table through a handsome points difference and will visit Whitchurch next week brimming with confidence.