Burton won the toss and played up a steep slope. The visitors knocked on at the kick-off and an impressive scrum from Berkswell and Balsall earned them a penalty, which John Lowden kicked to make the score 3-0 with barely two minutes gone. Burton then kicked into their opponents half before the home side used their forwards to pick and go. A great tackle from Will Brooks pressured the home side and Dave Archer slotted the resulting penalty from 35 metres. James Burroughs was the next to thwart an attack with a big hit, but a kick to the corner pinned Burton back. From a good driving maul the home side created what seemed a certain scoring opportunity only to fumble the ball.

The scrummages were fiercely contested and the home side fancied their chances by calling for a scrum when they won a penalty. Craig Dutton wrapped up the 9 as he broke, forcing a knock on. Utilising the advantage, Luke Peach kicked to half way before Bevitt-Smith countered from Full Back and desperate defence from Sam Benjamin and Harry Titley forced him into the corner flag. Another penalty was given to Berkswell at a scrum but the kick was off target. Another booming Peach kick was chased down by Benjamin on the right wing and he drove the Full Back into touch earning a lineout. Joe Briggs took the ball at the tail, Burton drove towards the line and from the ensuing ruck Darryl Banton passed to Burroughs on his right who fed Josh Cartwright and the skipper crossed for a try. Archer struck the conversion beautifully. The home side were on the attack soon after but a turnover by Dutton stemmed the tide. The game ebbed and flowed for a period before charging runs from Matt Tivey and Loz Betty gave Burton a good field position and a penalty came Burton’s way. Archer was on target once again. Berkswell then created another good chance but to their supports frustration failed to capitalise. A 40 metre break by Matt Boden was supported by Will Roach and quick ball was shipped out to Tom Murphy for the prop to race over to score. Archer made it 20-3 to Burton and despite attacks from both sides the score remained the same until half time.

Possession changed hands repeatedly after the break, before a counter ruck allowed Banton to make 10 meters followed by 30 from Murphy. Betty then cut back on a great line only for a forward pass and then some back chat to return the ball to the home side. Stu Hutton replaced the injured Tivey, for a scrum with the home side to put in. Peach playing his 100th first team game, raced up, smashed his opposite man, caught the ball as it flew into the air and then raced forward. As the Full Back appeared to have him covered, Peach floated the ball over his shoulder to the charging Betty who raced in for a great try. Archer added the two extra points.

Briggs was replaced Ben Cook making his debut and Ian Gilmour swapped with Peach. Hutton made two charging runs putting his side on the front foot but the home defence scrambled successfully. Tempers began to fray and both sides were inaccurate at lineouts, leading to a sterile period of the game and Galpin was yellow carded for the home side. From inside the Burton half Cartwright found Benjamin with a long pass. Benjamin stormed up the right wing and once again Betty was the man in support to run in from 30 metres. Archer missed his only kick of the game.

Berkswell rallied and put in an extended period of attack littered with penalties from Burton. A yellow card became inevitable and unfortunately the debutant Cook was the player to receive it. Berkswell kicked to the corner and drove infield after the lineout to cross for a try. The conversion slipped wide. Shortly after the restart Burroughs and Brooks launched an attack on the left wing in the Burton half. Boden raced forward 40 metres and as the Full Back advanced on him, slipped the ball behind his back to Banton who raced round under the posts. Archer increased the score to 39-7. There was no further score. Five points on the road was a good outcome, if not the game the coaches were looking for. In the next 2 weeks Burton home tough games against Whitchurch and Hereford, who sit behind them in third and forth positions respectively.

by Ian W Cartwright