Strong winds from Storm Desmnd had served to dry out Peel Croft. The wind was blowing across the pitch generally but there were gusts and swirls in all sorts of directions.
Going into the game Stoke were third from bottom, having lost three on the trot, whilst Burton were third from top and had won their last three. The form book was re-written as Stoke emerged deserved vicotrs and Burton produced probably their worst perfomance in several seasons.
Stoke drove the first line-out of the game, then took the ball in-field through two phases. The Burton defence looked comortable around the fringes but as Stoke moved the ball to their left winger he was all too easily able to cut in and cross for a score. The kick was not surprisingly missed, however with barely two minutes gone the vistors had a lead and a significant boost to their morale.
Burton’s first attack was quickly repelled and Stoke cleared to half way. Stoke were caught off-side and Harry Titley kicked the penalty to touch 20 metres out. Burton drove well from the lineout but there was some confusion as play moved away and a forward pass was made.
Stoke were awarded three panlties in a short space of time and they made it into the Burton half before being penalised at a line-out.
Josh Shaw caught a line-out for Burton and then Dewi Williams made ground. Joe Gazzard, Ed Henry, Tom Benjamin, James Davies, Harry Titley and Jack Brooks had their hands on the ball. Brooks was tackled close to the line and in his efforts to get the ball away lost it forward.
Benjamin and Jack Neale tested the defence and Stoke conceded a yellow card. Titley kicked to the corner but the ball was lost at the line-out. Burton were awarded a Free Kick at the scrummage and a second Stoke player was yellow carded.
Burton completed the line-out but then spilled the ball emerging from the maul. Burton dominated territory and advantage but were not playing at all well and could not capitalise on the numerical advantage.
Stoke were reduced to twelve men when Scrum Half Daryl Banton was impeded close to the line. Burton were held up in a maul and the first two offenders were both restored to the Stoke ranks shortly afterwards. Stoke were awarded a couple of penalties and with the second failed to make touch. Henry ran the ball back the ball was moved away from the break-down but then lost at the next contact. Stoke knocked the ball on.
Stoke produced a big scrum to earn a penalty. Stoke drove the line-out and went through several phases before a knock-on. By this point the spectators’ thoughts were moving towards some half time refreshments to brighten up their afternoon.
Stoke tried a drop-goal which the wind blew off-course and it could have worked to Stoke’s advantage but Alfie Grant made safe and the whistle blew.
Stoke applied the pressure in the early stages after the break and Neale did a great job to turn-over. Burton didn’t get away from the danger zone and due to several handling errors there were a series of scrummages. Stoke were now in the ascendancy at the scrum and happy to choose a scrum from a penalty. Stoke threw a loose pass but Burton knocked on in front of the posts. Stoke were a awarded a penalty which they kicked successfully and their lead was extended to eight points.
Burton were pinned back again, before Titley and Davies carried play into the opponents half. Stoke were penalised for the tackler not releasing and Titley made a great kick to the corner. Josh Cartwright took the line-out and the when the drive was held Banton whipped the ball out. Brooks hit a great line and perfectly timed a pass to Grant who jinked past two defenders to score. Titley did well to convert in the conditions, however Burton still trailed by a point.
Jeri Oldfield replaced Joe Briggs. Stoke attacked again and a penalty for off-side was taken to a scrum by Stoke and as they ploughed forward Banton impeded the No. 8 and was yellow carded. Stoke failed to come away with a score but play remained in the Burton twenty two. Craig Dutton replaced Joe Gazzard at No. 8, but was soon moving to prop when Shaw was yellow carded.
Time ticked away until Stoke had another shot at goal knowing that it was the last play. The kick went wide but out of play and Stoke were jubilant to get four points. For Burton it was a most frustrating afternoon but they hadn’t given a good account of themselves. The result saw Burton drop to sixth in the table whereas a win would have taken them to the top.