Burton continued their fine winning streak with a 36-23 victory over Kenilworth away from home.

The Crofters struggled at times early on in the match but showed great composure, with tries from scrum half Darryl Banton, Dave Archer and Will Roach (2) as well as four penalties and three conversions from Archer too.

The win keeps Burton second, three points behind leaders Lichfield who they take on next week in a crunch tie at Peel Croft.

Coach Tom Barlow was delighted with the win, despite the team getting off to a slow start during the match. “It’s a win, and that’s the main thing,” said Barlow. “There’s plenty for us to work on in the week. The first half was slow for us, and we never got into full flow until the second half.” “I was delighted to see our team spirit and determination come through, which is what we’ve been best at this season. Lichfield are in good form, like us, so we’ll need to be at the top of our game.”

Jack Brookes came into the squad for the injured Harry Titley, whilst Luke Peach started on the bench.

It was a nervy start for the visitors, as Kenilworth’s early pressure saw almost grab a try, with a moving scrum going over the try line, but Burton were resilient and held the ball up resulting in a scrum for the hosts.

On four minutes however, a penalty for Kenilworth because of Burton going in off their feet at the ruck gave Tom Kendall the opportunity to give his side the lead. He scored, making it 3-0.

The Crofters however, came back ten minutes later with a penalty kick at goal themselves as the hosts were penalised for also leaving their feet at the ruck. Dave Archer made no mistake and tucked away the kick straight between the posts levelling the scores.

After falling awkwardly though, Joe Briggs soon came off with a hip injury, as well as Matt Tivey who got a knock to his shoulder. Substitutes Simon Bradley and Will Brooks came on hoping to give a push the Crofters on to victory.

The game was tight, as both sides fought hard to retrieve the ball at any given moment. It was Kenilworth’s turn to take the lead, as they were awarded a penalty in the 30th minute. Kendall took full advantage of it and the hosts lead again 6-3.

Burton could have fell behind further had Sam Benjamin not made a saving tackle after Kenilworth’s quick attack saw them have a man over. Benjamin was not suckered in, remained composed and got to the winger with a wonderfully timed tackle, pushing him out of play.

Moments before the end of the half, it was Burton who scored the first try of the match thanks to some brilliant play by Darryl Banton. With ruck on the near side, near the touch line, Banton offloaded to Archer, made the run round the back to receive it again. Kenilworths full back was waiting but Banton cleverly kicked up and under to lob the trailing full back, and he dived on the ball over the try line to give Burton the lead. Archer made the conversion and at half time Burton led 10-6.

Burton came out for the second half seemingly more resolute, more aggressive and it showed throughout.

They extended their lead with a penalty kick at goal by Archer, making it 13-6, but Burton were penalised minutes later for being offside and interfering with the run of play. Full back Kendall scored to reduce the deficit to 13-9.

Burton’s dominance came through after that conceding however, and they soon turned on the style and got into full flow.

On 58 minutes from a scrum deep in Kenilworth territory, Banton passed right to Archer who wriggled through two on-coming players to run over and give the visitors clear daylight in the scores. He couldn’t converted his own try and Burton lead 18-9.

More joy soon came and he scored a penalty after the hosts were penalised at the ruck for coming in from the side. His third penalty put Burton 21-9 up with 15 minutes to play.

The offensive play from Burton was soon halted, when winger Benjamin went on a trademark dash through the Kenilworth’s front row, and but he was brought down and stayed down. He limped off and Ian Gilmour came on.

The match was somewhat sealed when Will Roach finished off a free flowing move from the visitors, as the ball came right from a scrum over on the far side of the field. Banton passed on to Gilmour, who found Craig Dutton and he in turn, found Roach. He ran over to score, but Archer missed the conversion. Burton went into the last 10 minutes 29-9 up, but the match was far from over.

Kenilworth managed to score two tries to the surprise of the crowd, with the match seemingly over. Gareth Renowden hustled his way through a pack and ran on, no-one in sight. He then scored again two minutes later after substitute Luke Peach offloaded from the floor needlessly and the ball went straight into Renowden’s arms. He ran on to score making it 29-23 after both were converted.

Will Roach sealed the victory as well as scoring the fourth try to earn the visitors a bonus point. He stripped the opposition of the ball himself and powered on to the try line to score his second. Archer converted with the final action of the match and Burton came away with a hard fought victory in the end winning 36-23.

Burton XV: Murphy, Birchell, Tivey, Cartwright (C), Roach, Ed Henry, Briggs, Dutton, Banton, Gilmour, Benjamin, Brookes, Betty, Archer, Boden. Subs: Brooks, Bradley, Peach.

Kenilworth XV: Dodd, J Cresswell (C), Hunter, Lane, Flowers, Gibson, Nancarrow, Thompson, Renowden, Selby, Jepps, Sheehan, Tyler, Hickman, Kendall. Subs: O Cresswell, Roberts, Clifford

Referee: Nichola Reynolds

By Michael Gallagher