With Danny Campbell being unavailable Ian Gilmour switched to full back and Tommy Cooper moved onto the wing for Lewis Brooks to return after an ankle injury to his usual centre berth for this journey into Shakespeare’s country. In addition the front row again saw a change in personnel with a fit again Simon Bradley coming onto the bench as front row cover with Jason Hooper taking on the hooker’s role in between fellow hookers, namely youngsters Nathan Taylor and Kieran Hawketts. From the start it was immediately evident that these changes were not going to weaken Burton’s chances as all the players mentioned were seen well to the fore in attacking moves, however despite the early promise it was left until the last kick of the game before Burton managed to salvage any points from the game to result in Stratford failing to gain three points on Burton and leave both sides going away with two points apiece.

The pitch at Stratford was in excellent condition as Burton kicked off into a slight breeze, and at the first Stratford scrummage the Burton pack surged forward to take the ball and Jono Edwards took off on a strong carry before finding Josh Cartwright in support whose attempted off-load was knocked on by Stratford to halt the attack. Luke Peach, Ian Gilmour, Jason Hooper and Nathan Taylor all made ground in the next wave but the Stratford defence held out and they broke out from one 22 to the other before conceding a penalty.

But it was Burton who then enjoyed the better of territory for a spell, however, after a great start the scrums were tending to go against the head both ways so neither side gained any really momentum. Promising Stratford attacks were halted by great work at the breakdown first by a combination of Cartwright, and Gilmour, the secondly by flanker Jason Knight. The Stratford fly half repeatedly kicked intelligently and Sam Smith had a tricky one to deal with on his own line but did so and earned a penalty in the process.

From this Burton made ground and broke the deadlock after 26 minutes. Peach chipped over the defensive line and followed up with Sam Smith to pin the receiver back. Burton once again fielding three hookers in the front row took the ball against the head, and Edwards broke to the narrow side and from quick ruck ball Sam Smith was able to score 15 meters in from touch. Darryl Banton slotted the conversion to give Burton a seven point lead.

Burton made ground after the re-start with powerful runs from Nathan Taylor, Jon Parkinson and Danny Smith. Then Jason Hooper snapped up a loose ball after a Stratford fumble from a lineout and Burton spun the ball out to Tom Cooper on the left wing who was tackled into touch. However, the referee was playing advantage and awarded a penalty, but the attempted shot at goal from Banton’s boot slid agonisingly wide. At this point, just before half time, James Davies replaced Lewis Brooks as Burton continued to press forward but without any gaining any further reward.

Stratford failed to make 10 meters from the kick off and from the scrummage Gilmour kicked deep into the opposition 22, where the play stayed until Burton gave away a penalty for deliberately wheeling the scrum. Stratford then launched an attack, their full back hitting the line at real pace and releasing his winger for an excellent try. The home No 8 levelled the scores with the conversion. The home outfit were now a different side playing with confidence and purpose.

Burton’s Brooks re-entered the fray as he replaced Davies and needed his considerable pace to reign in the opposition right winger and stop a certain try. But disaster then struck as having lost a five metre scrummage Stratford turned over at the next breakdown and went over under the posts. The conversion suddenly gave the home side a 14-7 lead.

Burton reverted to using their forwards to make ground with Kiearan Hawketts and Ken Archer carrying before a powerful driving maul took Burton to within 10 meters of the opposition line. The attack ended with a penalty for crossing and Stratford took play into Burton’s half. Unfortunately Gilmour was then yellow carded and Burton faced half of the remaining time a man down.

Joel Briggs replaced Parkinson and soon made the first of two turnovers as the game swung from end to end and Burton survived a couple of catch and drive attempts as the home side sought to close the game out. Gilmour returned and was involved in an attack with Sam Smith, Banton and Briggs which ended with another conceded penalty and a long kick to touch by Stratford. As full time approached, Peach boomed a penalty to touch on the opposing 10 meter line.

Having been the poorer side since the break Burton now threw everything into an attack and were halted close to the line but the referee called play back to the 22 for a Stratford offside. With insufficient time left for any other option, Burton took a tap and the pack set up a maul which they drove powerfully forward before Parkinson touched down 10 meters to the left of the posts. The result now rested with Banton who silenced the home crowd by coolly converting.