With their match preparations having already been hampered by being unable to train properly due to both Shobnall and Peel Croft pitches being in very poor condition due to over use and weather conditions Burton were hit by a spate of late changes to their back line, Dave Archer, Sam Smith and Sam Benjamin started at 10, 12 and 13 with Tom Cooper being drafted in on the wing.

These inadequate training facilities and injuries saw Lichfield completing the hat-trick of victories over Burton and this latest defeat was more comprehensive than the previous two. Indeed it looked as if Burton could be on the end of the hammering but a rally in the last quarter restored some pride.

Soon after kicking off Burton were on the attack with a sniping break followed by the first of many powerful driving mauls from Burton. The move ended with a penalty for holding on and in the blink of an eye Lichfield were crossing the Burton twenty two. A knock-on gave Burton the first put-in, however a penalty was conceded for crossing and Lichfield took a three point lead in as many minutes.

Joel Briggs stole a lineout and Burton swept forward through Danny Smith, Benjamin and Tom Murphy. The move broke down and again Lichfield used their backs to make ground quickly and it took a tap tackle from Kelvin Browne to stem the tide, which was followed by a forward pass to keep the Burton line intact. From the scrummage Burton opted to run the ball only to spill it. Lichfield worked the blind side went over in the corner, before stretching the lead with a well struck conversion.

Burton were awarded a penalty straight after the kick off and Darryl Banton stroked the ball over from 30 metres. A Lichfield attack was then thwarted on half way, Charl Neethling turned the ball over but Burton couldn’t profit from an advantage and Dave Archer stepped up for shot at goal from 50 meters. The ball hit the post and Lichfield cleared their lines.

A Briggs lineout take was driven 20 metres by Burton before the forwards made further ground and earned a penalty. Banton made it 10-6, but Lichfield pressed forward and had a lineout 10 meters from the Burton line, however Burton got their hands on the ball, drove a maul forward and then Banton, Jono Edwards and Danny Smith took play over half way. Lichfield turned over and created space for their right winger who looked odds on to score only for Danny Smith to corner flag him and smash him into touch.

As half time approached Edwards attracted the attention of a few Lichfield studs and then to add insult to his already dented dignity suffered more misery in the shape of a yellow card.

During the break Ed Henry replaced Briggs and Jason Knight came on at hooker with Nathan Taylor switching to prop in place of Neethling. Disaster struck as Lichfield ran in a try from the first lineout and then added the conversion. Burton made it half way, only for Lichfield to score again with a sweeping counter attack. The kick was missed but Lichfield now had a sixteen point cushion.

Burton were laboured when they had the ball and Lichfield on the other hand, Lichfield always looked dangerous. Sam Smith showed great footwork and then made a thirty metre break, but the respite was short-lived and Lichfield made another seven point score when it appeared that a Matt Boden tackle had halted the attack.

James Burroughs replaced Edwards to make his debut. Burton were pinned back by several raking kicks, however a move involving Dave Archer, Browne and Banton got Burton going forward with some pace and as they got into the red Zone, a Lichfield prop didn’t release in the tackle and received a yellow card. A Burton tap and go ended with a penalty conceded for holding on.

A Josh Cartwright lineout take on half way launched an attack involving Dave Archer, Cooper, Taylor, Murphy and Ken Archer. The attack was held up close to the line but Burton retained composure and Knight barged over for a try. Now Burton were enjoying the better of territory and a choke tackle on the Lichfield No. 8 from Henry and Banton earned a scrum. Sam Smith took the ball on in the centre and then Banton darted forward. With their scrum half tied up Henry and Taylor took the ball on. Banton then picked out Josh Cartwright sweeping around the corner and the Captain smashed through the last defender for a try. The score stayed at 29-16 as a spate of knock-ons brought the game to a close with Burton paying the price for injuries and hampered training preparations.