Burton travelled to Doncaster Phoenix looking for big improvements on a poor performance last week at Syston and they did not disappoint. They were able to dominate upfront and were well worth their bonus point win in changeable weather conditions in soggy South Yorkshire. Doncaster kicked off deep into the Burton “22” but Burton played through the phases to get the ball back up to the 10-metre line where a knock on gave Doncaster the first scrum of the game. Burton drove well and put Doncaster under tremendous pressure. The scrum was re-set and again Burton piled on the pressure with another outstanding drive. Chaz Bunting went blind and cleared the ball long and Doncaster were forced to touch the ball down over the try line for a drop out from under the posts. Alfredo Bergada fielded the drop out and ran back towards the danger zone where the ball was retained, and more ground was gained before a cross field kick evaded winger Andy Brown, so a penalty was awarded to Burton as Doncaster were offside. Burton opted to kick, and although the throw was not straight Burton won the resulting Doncaster throw and moved the ball left then right incredibly well bearing in mind the atrocious conditions.
Five minutes into the game, with play returning to the centre of the pitch about 10 metres from the try line, Burton again demonstrated their early dominance of the set scrums. Joe Gazzard picked up the ball from the base of the scrum but, disappointingly, was deemed to be held up when many of the Burton fans thought he had scored. Doncaster re-started the game with their second drop out from under the posts. Burton looked hungry for this game and were soon back in the danger zone on the right-hand side following a super penetrative kick from Jamie Dutton. Burton regained possession and moved the ball left and Will Derry was held up just short of the try line but Andy Brown was on hand to pick up the ball and dive over to score the opening try of the game wide on the left. Bunting just failed with the difficult conversion, but Burton had the lead after 10 minutes. Doncaster 0-5 Burton.
From the re-start Burton tested the back three defence of Doncaster again with another deep kick which was knocked on at the 10-metre line. Another powerful scrum from Burton led to another penalty and a super kick took Burton’s lineout to the 5-metre line on the right. A good catch and drive followed, and Burton thought they had their second try after 15 minutes, but it was adjudged to be held up by Doncaster. From the re-start Burton again moved the ball well from right to left but were penalised for holding on and the imminent threat had been thwarted. Doncaster cleared to their 10-metre line but great work by Dom Taylor gave Burton the penalty which was kicked well by Dutton to give Burton the throw at a line-out 7 metres from the try line. This time Burton were not going to be disappointed and it was Tommie Collingwood who gat the touchdown for the second try to the right of the posts. Bunting was successful with this conversion to extend Burton’s lead after 19 minutes. Doncaster Phoenix 0-12 Burton.
Doncaster Phoenix did not kick the ball a great deal throughout the game but when they did, they found Burton full back, Bragada’s handling excellent. The Burton pack also continued to do great work in the lineouts by winning several of Doncaster’s throw ins which deprived them of possession and any flow being generated into their game. Just over mid-way through the first period saw Doncaster have their first multi-phase possession, but Burton had the defensive answer and more keeping them on or about the 22-metre line and no nearer the try line for several minutes. When Doncaster eventually got into the danger zone Burton upped their efforts and maintained their shape and focus. The same could not be said for Doncaster though as an attempted kick from half-way went straight into touch handing back possession to Burton.
With about 5 minutes to go until half-time, Burton made their first replacement with James Davies coming on for Matt Tivey. Another great kick, this time from Bunting, put Doncaster back into their own “22” where they won a rare line-out. However, Burton were to have the last say of the half when next in possession, having made their way up the centre of the pitch to the 5-metre line Gazzard made a break from a ruck and found Callum Donnelly in support to go over for Burton’s third try of the game under the posts. Bunting made no mistake with the conversion and the half time whistle blew with burton holding a healthy lead. Doncaster 0-19 Burton.
The second half kicked off in drastically improved weather by Burton - the sun was about to make its first appearance of the day – and Doncaster made their way back to the Burton half immediately. A couple of minor errors allowed Doncaster to get into Burton’s “22” but once again Burton’s defence was strong. Winger Andy Brown made a good break and Bunting kicked through for other winger Charles Austin to score Burton’s bonus point try on the right very early into the second period. Bunting was on target with the conversion and Burton looked well in control of the game with the score now standing at Doncaster 0-26 Burton.
Unfortunately, despite the promising start to the second half, Burton were slightly guilty of allowing the penalty count to go against them in the period of the game up to mid-way through the half. As the weather continued to improve with the sun now shining the game went a little flat probably due to both sides cancelling each other out. Josh Kent came on for Jack Barry Neal with 25 minutes left to play. Doncaster were next to get themselves on the scoresheet as they again managed to keep possession of the ball and they scored a converted try to the right of the posts mid-way through the half. Doncaster Phoenix 7-26 Burton.
Josh Balance replaced Andy Brown on the wing and as Burton regained their focus it was Doncaster Phoenix’s turn to be penalised. Like Burton in the first half their defence was outstanding for the next several minutes with Burton looking to seal the victory with a bigger margin. Doncaster Phoenix then relieved the pressure with a great clearance kick up to the halfway line. Burton, having regained possession then made steady progress towards the try line and eventually drew a penalty from Doncaster Phoenix in front of the posts which Bunting converted to increase the lead to Doncaster Phoenix 7-29 Burton with 15 minutes to play.
The cat and mouse like game continued for some time with neither team really threatening to add to their points tally until a great pick up from Alex Nesbitt on the Doncaster Phoenix 10-metre line saw him sprint away from the home cover defence to score on the right. Bunting missed the difficult conversion, but Burton now had a deserved and commanding lead with just 10 minutes remaining. Doncaster Phoenix 7-34 Burton.
Doncaster Phoenix continued to show great spirit and gave their all to try and close the margin of Burton’s victory. Burton however were in no mood to allow this to happen and played out the rest of the match with great confidence of their defensive ability. The win sees Burton consolidate their position in 8th place in the Midlands Premier League. There is no game next week but Burton are back at home once again on 26 February 2022, when they entertain Dudley Kingswinford who are just one place below in 9th.