Burton had beaten Lichfield in their last two meetings in the Staffordshire cup so the travelling supporters were hoping for another win.

The visitors started well and a good kick ahead took them into the Lichfield 22 but the home team were able to clear the ball. Burton ran the ball again but dropped it in midfield where it was picked up by the Lichfield winger who ran almost to the Burton goal line. The home team recycled the ball quickly and scored near the corner. The conversion was missed.

Burton hit back quickly and a chip ahead by centre Loz Betty was collected by fly half Harry Titley who passed to winger Dale Koopman who scored under the posts. Will Simpson added the extra two points to take Burton into the lead.

Burton were soon in action again and were awarded a penalty in the Lichfield 22. Simpson’s attempt at goal hit the post but Jack Neal was able to collect the rebound. He passed to number eight Lelo Gemashe who scored in the corner. Simpson again converted to make the score 5-14.

At this stage, although Burton were getting on top in the set scrums the two sides looked evenly matched. Lichfield attacked again and a kick ahead was gathered by the full back who scored. The conversion attempt appeared to go over but the referee ruled that it had missed. However, the home team were back in the game at 10-14.

Both sides were trying to play attacking rugby at this stage but both made mistakes so the defences were untroubled. However, a Lichfield clearance kick did not find touch so it was passed along the Burton back line to Koopman who scored his second try. Simpson missed the conversion attempt. There was no further significant action so the half time score was 10-19.

After the restart both sides made flurries into the opposition territory but both defences remained strong until Lichfield conceded a penalty in their own 22. Simpson kicked the goal to put the visitors further ahead.

The Burton forwards were rampant by this time and made some charging runs. Prop James Davies made a break in the centre and ran like a winger to score under the posts and secure the try bonus point. Simpson again added the extra points.

Lichfield were not out of the game yet and they started to exert real pressure on the visitors. Their backs and forwards combined well and although Burton tackled well, they were unable to prevent the full back from scoring. He converted his own try to make the score 17-29.

Burton were under siege in their own 22 for the last 15 minutes of the match and kept the pressure on themselves by making mistakes, for example not finding touch or trying to carry the ball when they should have kicked it. They tackled well but the pressure they were under was bound to tell in the end and they could not prevent the home side from scoring their fourth try thereby securing a try bonus point and a losing bonus point. The conversion was missed so the final score was Lichfield 22 Burton 29.

Photos by Margaret Beardsmore Photography.