Man of the Match Will Roach scored three tries in a match that also saw tries from Number 8 Craig Dutton, Winger Matt Boden and scrum half Darryl Banton as well as three penalties and from outside centre and kick Dave Archer. Barkers Butts scored several tries of their own, through winger Christopher Priest, Tom Stokes and Ben Upton. Despite a two minute period where Burton conceded two tries, the host’s held on to take the win.

“I’m happy with the four points and the bonus point,” said Coach Nick Adams. “The last 20 minutes we took our foot off the gas and they capitalised. Two tries in as many minutes is never acceptable. Just a lack of concentration at times and failure to relieve the pressure has cost us a few tries. Nevertheless, that’s our third win in three and we’ll be confident going into the next game against Berkswell & Balsall.”

Two changes were made to last weekends win against Walsall. Tom Cooper replaced the injured Sam Benjamin, whilst Joe Gazzard replaced James Burrough. With Kelvin Browne still injured, Ed Henry carried on at flanker.

Burton started off on the back foot, when in the fifth minute Barker’s fly half Stokes started from the ruck with a swift pass right to inside centre Aaron Newman, who in turn went right again to winger Priest. He side-stepped Boden and scored. The conversion was missed but the try still gave the host’s something to think about early on.

It was however, a matter of minutes before the score was levelled. Scrum half Banton from a scrum broke through, passing to Dutton who scored, making it 5-5 as Archer missed the conversion.

Five minutes later, after more pressure from Burton, they made it 10-5. Dutton this time the provider in the fourth phase of the play, found Boden. He ran through on the far side to give his team the advantage with only 14 minutes played. Archer missed for the two points, but he made up for that moments later with a penalty kick at goal, after Barker’s were penalised at a scrum.

With the Crofters dominating the play and possession, scrum half Banton bagged himself a try on 29 minutes. With the ball on Barker’s 22, Banton managed to touch down between the posts, as he dummied a pass left from the ruck and gave his team a 18-8 lead; Archer’s conversion soon after gave them a 12 point lead.

More chances for the host’s as Banton picked up on a loose ball, carrying it over 10 yards. He offloaded to Dutton, whose pass left then was just short of prop Tom Murphy, the resulting attempted pass saw the ball fall out of play after Burton’s short spell of pressure.

Just before the end of the 1st half, it was Archer who managed to score. The visitors were penalised for coming in from the side. His penalty kick gave Burton a comfortable half time lead of 23-8

Archer started where he left off in the first half, by scoring another penalty inside the opening minutes of the second period, making it 26-8.

From then on however, it was about one man; Will Roach. His first of his three tries came in the 52nd minute. Banton’s pass from the ruck in the centre was collected by Tommy Cooper, who then gave it to Roach. His powerful run through the Barkers front row was too much to handle, and he scored the fourth try with archer failing to convert the try.

With the scores at 31-8, Burton seemed to have the game under their control.
Roach’s second try came ten minutes later, as prop Murphy gathered the ball from the scrum, and Roach ran through making it 36-8. At this stage, their 28 point lead over the visitors was looking like a demolition similar to last years results against the club from Coventry.

However, two tries in as many minutes certainly caused some concern for the crofters. Barker’s players Stokes and Upton scored, with both tries converted to make it 36-22.

And things went wrong for flanker Joe Briggs, who was shown a yellow card soon after the tries. His mouthy antics meant he was sent to the sin bin, and with 11 minutes to go, the emphasis had switched sides, despite Burton’s dominance.

The pressure was on Burton, but they learned their lesson quickly, and kept concentration for the remainder of the match. Lawrence Betty’s interception after Barker’s Stokes and full back Rob Knox combination on the near side touch line was crucial during the period of play with Burton down to 14.

Archer however, made sure of the win when Burton were awarded a penalty, in the 75th minute. His kick made it 39-22.

With Briggs back on to see out the few minutes, Roach grabbed his third try and ensured his team of the win. Banton collected the ball from a scrum and Roach was found. He burst through Barker’s depleted backs and touched down for the try. Archer converted and the final score stayed at 46-22.

Roach said after the match, “I’m pleased with my own performance; it was a comfortable win for the majority of the game. We’ll hope to keep the momentum going and keep up the winning streak.”

Burton 1st XV: Murphy, Burrough, Tivey, Cartwright (C), Roach, Henry, Briggs, Dutton, Banton, Peach, Cooper, Titley, Archer, Boden, Gilmour.

By Michael Gallagher