Burton entertained league leaders Newport at Peel Croft on Saturday. Newport had not been beaten this season so Burton were keen to change this. However the home team again got off to a poor start. A penalty was awarded to the visitors as Burton strayed offside. The penalty was taken quickly catching the home team unawares and The Newport centre burst through a tackle to score under the posts. The try was converted making the score 0-7 after just a couple of minutes.

The home team fought back and after winning a line out near the goal line the forwards set up a driving maul to take the ball over the line for a try in the corner, Will roach getting the touchdown. The try was unconverted so the score was now 5-7.

The sides then exchanged penalties. The Newport backs worked their way into the Burton 22 and were awarded a penalty as the Burton defender did not roll away after the tackle. The kick was slotted over. From the kick off Burton worked their way into the opposition 22 and were awarded a penalty for a similar offence. Harry Titley kicked the goal making the score now 8-10

Burton were attacking well and forced a line out just inside the visitors’ 22 metre line. The pack won the ball and drove the maul all the way to the try line for Ed Saunders to touch down in the corner. The penalty was missed. There was no further significant action in the first half, so at half time Burton were leading by 13 points to 10.

Burton started the second half well and following good work by the forwards the ball was passed along the back line for Lewis Brooks to score in the corner. The conversion was missed. Burton were looking the better team at this time but the visitors showed why they are the league leaders and fought there way back into the game. Some good work by their backs allowed the centre to score under the posts. The full back stepped up to kick the extra points bringing them within a point of the home team at 18-17.

The visitors worked their way into the Burton 22 again but turned the ball over. The Burton backs tried to run the ball instead of kicking for touch and they were penalised for holding onto the ball in the tackle. The penalty was converted giving Newport a two point lead.

Burton responded well and again put pressure on the visitors defence. After good work from the backs Ed Saunders scored under the posts. The try was converted making the score now 25-20 in the home teams favour. At this point the home supporters were jubilant and could have been forgiven for thinking that the game was all over and victory was won. However this was not to be the case as Newport attacked again winning a series of penalties which took them to within five metres of the Burton goal line. They won the ball from the lineout and scored in the corner. The conversion attempt, which was the last kick of the match, was missed making the final score 25-25.

This was a disappointing end to a very good match but Burton will rue the concession of the early try. Burton earned a bonus point for scoring four tries so they take three points from the game. This did not prevent them from dropping to third place in Midlands1 West, however, as Bournville beat Stoke taking all five points to put them in second place.