In a dis-jointed match at Bridgnorth Burton only managed to find their stride for a five minute period before a chaotic final fifteen minutes where they clung on to earn a victory. This fourth win on the trot puts them on top of the league as the only side with a 100% record.
Burton kicked off on a bright afternoon and soon had their hands on the ball through Nick Oxley and Joe Gazzard, however Bridgnorth made a good turnover. As they tried to leave their own half the hosts knocked on. The Burton scrum was solid and then Dave Archer and Matt Tivey made runs but a penalty was conceded. Bridgnorth kicked into the Burton half, Burton were penalised, Bridgnorth kicked to touch again before knocking on in midfield. A third penalty against Burton awarded in just six minutes and Bridgnorth took the three points.
Gazzard, Archer, Josh Cartwright and Tivey had the ball in their hands before another penalty was awarded. Bridgnorth were attacking from their own half and chipped ahead but Ed Henry took the ball well and from a quick breakdown a forward pass from Harry Titley ended a promising move. A penalty put Burton to within seven metres of their own line but their defence was solid and they then produced a good exit play to clear their lines.
Liam Hucknall took play into the opponents half but the ball was spilled by the support. Burton took the scrummage against the head and Archer found the corner. Bridgnorth defended well and kicked up-field. Lee English fielded well and was impeded so in the nineteenth minute Burton were awarded their first penalty at least forty five metres out towards the left wing. Archer struck a kick with a low trajectory and a perfect aim to level the scores.
The home side then went on the attack for a spell and ultimately worked an overlap on the left wing around half way ad their winger made a good finish. The conversion attempt drifted wide.
Another penalty was given to Burton and Archer found the target again. Burton then had some good opportunities but the line-out mal-functioned and they went into the break on the wrong side of 8 – 6 score-line.
Joe Briggs replaced Henry and the half started with a kick exchange before a Bridgnorth attack was stopped by a thundering hit from Briggs.
Archer, Titley, Gazzard and then Tom Murphy attacked in the twenty two before a yellow card was conceded by Bridgnorth. Burton opted for a scrummage but as they surged forward they lost their footing and were penalised. Bridgnorth were soon in the Burton twenty two but good defence kept them out until a penalty was awarded. Pressure from Burton forced a knock and Hucknall stormed sixty metres before Nicholl and Jack Brooks took the ball on and the latter was forced into touch.
Francisco Zeleme replace Tivey who had taken a knock in the earlier collapse of the scrum.
Burton were suddenly playing at their usual tempo and after an exchange of kicks Archer gathered the ball on half way towards the right wing and ran diagonally into space. He straightened his line and on the twenty two flipped the ball out to Matt Davies who dived over near the touch-line. Archer bisected the uprights perfectly and Burton now led with twenty minutes gone.
Archer was soon involved again killing a loose ball on half way near the right hand touch-line. Titley than worked a narrow blind-side and found the ever eager Nicholls in support, who won the foot-race into the corner. Archer was kicking beautifully and the difficult angle was no problem to him.
20-8 in favour of Burton and their supporters were a little more relaxed but this didn’t last for long.
Bridgnorth got a shunt on at the scrummage for the first time and were awarded a penalty. They kicked to touch and then their maul was driven across the field. Burton cleared with a kick. The home side then kept the ball but they weren’t able to penetrate and Burton forced a penalty at the breakdown. Tempers suddenly flared before Henry and an opponent were red-carded as well as a Gazzard receiving a yellow.
Play then became frenetic with penalties and free kicks to both sides. Burton then made a fifty metre break but lost the ball and it was Bridgnorth’s turn to make fifty meters and pressure the Burton line. Oxley was sent to the sin-bin leaving only twelve Burton players on the field.
Bridgnorth kicked for the corner and made the numerical advantage pay with a seven point score to make if 15-20.
Burton managed to steady themselves a little and took play into the opposing twenty two and as the Referee appeared to indicate advantage to Burton Titley mad a drop-goal attempt which went onto the hands of a Bridgnorth and they tried to run the ball out. The Burton dozen were throwing themselves into tackles and pinning Bridgnorth back, but were sent back to half way by a clearance. There was still time for Bridgnorth to push into the Burton half but Hucknall turned the ball over and Burton had pulled off a dramatic victory.