Barlow also commented on the fact that this squad of players will only get better over time .A trip to Malvern is always one the players and club relish especially with the 2nd xv also returning with a victory.

The game itself never really got going with a stop start half with 12 minutes of stoppage time. Malvern kicked off against the wind and a good take by Josh Cartwright took the game right to Malvern. Handling errors cost Burton though and only great covering defence kept Malvern out, as they relied heavily on the catch a drive from lineouts.

In fact Burton constantly seemed to put themselves under pressure by ill-discipline which could have cost them against better opposition
After weathering the Malvern pressure only glimpses of forward power and back play resulted in Burton getting into the Malvern half. On doing so a couple of penalties slotted over by scrum half Darryl Banton on 15 and 17 minutes settled Burton down at Burton 6 Malvern 0.
Burtons dominance in the scrum with the powerful front five of James Burrough, Charl Neethling and Matt Tivey giving no respite to their opposite numbers, coupled with Cartwright and Joe Gazzard in the second row.

On 25 minutes a break in centre field allowed the Malvern attack through and a last gasp tackle by Harry Titley saved a certain try .Yet again anytime Burton attacked it seemed to go wrong with the ruck area becoming a worry.

Another Darryl Banton penalty on 36 minutes gave a healthier scoreline of 9-0. On 38 minutes a penalty was awarded to Burton on the 5m line of Malvern and a scrum was called for correctly. A powerful drive by the Burton pack resulted in Dutton at no8 scoring Burtons first try. Banton missed the conversion as his effort hit the post but made amends again with yet another penalty conversion right on half time giving a healthy Malvern 0 Burton 17.

Playing into the wind in the second half coach Barlow made changes to the pack with Roach and Murphy coming on. To be fair the players responded to the call for moving the ball quicker and clearing rucks out more aggressively. Dominance in the scrum and lineout gave the Burton backs chance to shine with Betty proving a handful on the wing and Brooks and Cooper eager to gel at centre. Harry Titley and Matt Boden coped well as Malvern tried to use the wind to gain territory but were thwarted constantly as the ball was run back.

Burton proved that they were the fitter team as in the last quarter of the game the power did tell. Cook was replaced by Gazzard on 68 minutes.
A great bit of skill by Gilmour on 70 minutes resulted in a try under the posts after he chipped through the Malvern defence and touched down his own kick. Banton added the extras to make the score 24 nil. Then on 77 Banton broke clear down the wing to touch down in the corner.

Many a side would have caved in at this point but Malvern came back into the match with a try of their own as their flanker touched down.
Not to be outdone Burton sniffing the bonus point, worked the ball through several phases one way across the field and then the other finally finished off on his opposite wing by Boden to give a confidence boost. The last score of the day was a conversion by Banton out wide against the wind to give the final score of Malvern 5 Burton 36.

Burton move onto Market Bosworth at home next week at home as they welcome the Patrons and 1870 Members of the Club. Kick off is 2-15pm and all are welcome to watch this ever learning young squad.

By Steve Briggs