Where they found a pitch in surprisingly good condition considering that it had been completely under water at the beginning of the week. The Burton team prefers firmer ground and although they made a couple of early handling errors they were soon in their stride, with the forwards stealing the home team’s line out ball and pushing them back in the set scrums and the backs running rings around their opposite numbers.

After some good work by the backs Burton were awarded a penalty. The kick took them up to the 22 metre line. From the line out the pack drove forward and the ball was passed quickly along the back line for winger Nick Oxley to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.

Burton again put pressure on the Hereford defence but were penalised for an offence at the breakdown. However the home team’s kicker failed to find touch and the ball was run back by full back Will Simpson. He passed to Oxley who ran around for his second try, this time closer to the posts. Simpson added the extra points.

After more mistakes from the Hereford defence Burton were awarded a scrum they won the ball and the forwards and backs combined to take the ball up the field the Hereford defence scrambled well but they could not prevent centre Jack Brooks from scoring. Simpson again converted.

From the restart Burton were soon into Hereford territory again and the home team committed another offence at the breakdown. From the line out on the five metre line Burton won the ball and scored a pushover try with Joe Gazzard getting the touch down. Simpson added the extra points again to make the score 0-26 with Burton once again achieving the try bonus point before half time.

At this point Burton were rampant and the Hereford defence was in some disarray. They kicked the ball into touch but Simpson took a quick throw in to fly half Harry Titley who ran in to score. This time Simpson missed the conversion. With there being no further significant action the score at half time was 0-31.

A combination of factors led to Burton being less dominant in the second half. First they eased up somewhat and did not play with as much intensity as they did in the first half, second the pitch by now had deteriorated and was not conducive to the Burton Brand of rugby. The Hereford forwards started to win some ball and their backs seemed to up the pace so that Burton could not prevent them scoring two tries which were both converted.

Burton were not finished yet though and they banished all thoughts of a Hereford comeback as they again won a lineout in the Hereford 22 they set up a driving maul and hooker James Davies broke off the back of the maul and ran in to score. Simpson again kicked the conversion.
The visitors then played a tight game and some good kicks by Titley kept the home team pinned in their own 22. Burton tackled really well and although Davies had to spend the last 5 minutes in the sin bin for persistent offence at the break down, it was too late for Hereford to benefit from it and Burton ran out comfortable winners at 14-38.

On a sadder note in a freak accident partway through the second half, flanker Dominic “Spud” Taylor Fractured his wrist. It was a serious break and we understand that he will need surgery. We wish him a speedy recovery.