Burton’s first fixture of the new year was always going to be a tough test against a team that has consistently been in the top four of the Midlands Premier League even though it was Burton who won their first meeting this season at Battlestead Croft. The cold weather combined with the sodden conditions underfoot favoured the home team’s preferred style of play made Burton’s task even harder. A late change to the published team saw Matt Tivey called up to take his place on the bench due to the unavailability of Segundo De Olmos.

Sheffield kicked off the first half with a slight breeze in their favour and Burton eventually made their way back to the half-way line following an exchange of early kicks and shared possession. Burton were then able to proceed slowly up to the Sheffield "22" on the right with several phases of play against a well drilled home defence which was difficult to break down. The forwards loose play was solid and ensured possession was maintained but, in the line-out Burton were under intense pressure because of the home team’s height advantage in the second row. Sheffield regained possession and eventually were able to clear. They then mounted their first sustained period of pressure on Burton making their way right up to the 5-metre line on the left despite the excellent defensive work of the Burton team. Burton forwards then responded with an excellent line-out win, followed by superb work in the loose that saw Sheffield forced into touch on the left. Burton were then able to clear up to just inside the Sheffield half as a result of a penalty against Sheffield.

At this stage of the game Sheffield looked more likely to break the deadlock as they were able to penetrate the Burton defensive line slightly more than Burton were but the game remained very tight and forward dominated. Sheffield seemed to get a little frustrated by this and their progress towards the try line was again halted by another penalty as Burton attempted to run the ball out from their own “22” rather than kick against an increasing breeze. An injury to Corey Beck paused proceeding for a short time but, thankfully he was able to continue. The pendulum pattern of play also continued with both sides cancelling each other out either side of the half-way line. The flow of the game was not helped by the penalty count as both sides struggled to come to terms with many of the numerous penalty offences awarded. Thankfully both teams managed to retain their composure and the hard-fought contest remained firm but fair.

Midway through the first half Sheffield were a little fortunate to be awarded a penalty in front of the posts as Burton were adjudged to be offside. They opted to kick for goal and the deadlock was broken. Sheffield 3-0 Burton. Shortly after the re-start Tristan De Jager was taken out in the air with a somewhat over-zealous challenge which resulted in a penalty to Burton and a yellow card for Sheffield. Burton were able to secure possession from the line-out deep in Sheffield territory and the ball was moved into centre field where Harry Titley kicked all the way into the right corner and it appeared that the chasing winger, Will Simpson, touched the ball down for a try only for the referee to disallow it for a double movement. Sheffield then, in the face of more excellent defensive work by Burton, moved slowly out of their danger zone but knocked on just outside their own “22”. Burton won their scrum, and the ball was worked into midfield, but sloppy handling gave away possession and Sheffield were able to clear to the half-way line. With great support work and handling Sheffield continued their progress into the Burton half and then benefitted from some very generous refereeing decisions to score the first try of the game after just over 29 minutes. A successful conversion meant they increased their lead further. Sheffield 10-0 Burton.

As on several occasions this season Burton’s response was immediate as they put heavy pressure on the Sheffield which forced a crucial error, and an attempted clearance kick was totally mis-cued by the home team. De Jager picked up the loose ball on the left around the “22” and sprinted away from covering defenders to score Burton’s first try of the game. Chas Bunting added the conversion to make the score Sheffield 10-7 Burton. The re-start saw Burton win a penalty but soon after this the penalty count then turned in favour of the home team as Burton were rather harshly penalised on several occasions meaning that Sheffield entered Burton territory again. Under pressure the Burton scrum, for the first time in the game, was pushed backwards which probably put a little apprehension into the minds of the Burton team.

Sheffield took advantage of this and were awarded two further penalties before half-time which they opted to kick for goal. These were converted successfully meaning they went in for the break with a bigger lead than they might have expected. An injury to Harry Titley just before half time saw the introduction of Elliot Grant on the wing and Alfredo Bergada moving into the centre

The second half saw the introduction of Ben Sanderson for the injured Callum Donnelly following some sterling work in an early ruck. The same pendulum pattern of the game was highly in evidence as neither side were prepared to give anything away. Alfredo Bergada showed his skills of evasion as he made a break from his own “22” and once again the Burton pack were able to recycle the ball through several phases as they progressed up to the Sheffield “22” but this attack was halted by a knock-on. The penalty count against Burton continued to mount up and Sheffield again progressed to the Burton 10 metre line. Their forward based style was beginning to look more threatening but to their great credit the Burton defence held firm.

Tivey then replaced Beck and was penalised incorrectly at his first scrum. Burton advanced into the Sheffield “22” courtesy of a rare penalty in their favour but Sheffield were able to clear up to the 10-metre line for a Burton throw. A further penalty allowed Burton to progress to the Sheffield “22” but Sheffield continued their dominance in the lineouts and Burton were back on the half-way line once again. The game was then littered with penalties for high tackles and although they were tiring the Burton forwards enjoyed a period of great loose play as the pendulum pattern re-surfaced once again.

Sheffield were looking very concerned as Burton continued to make them work exceptionally hard to make any progress. Then when Burton had a period of possession Tivey popped up in the centre and it was Burton’s turn to apply pressure on the home defence. Unfortunately, it came to nothing as, once again the Sheffield defence held strong. The next real action involved a De Jager break from inside his own half and Sheffield were then penalised for coming in at the side in a later phase of play on the right. Burton were just 5 metres away from the try line but could not find that little bit of magic to unlock the home defence. Sheffield then picked up once again and pushed Burton back to their own “22”. Burton also continued to make things very difficult for the home side and were rewarded when Sheffield dropped the ball between the 10-metre line and the “22”. Alex Nesbitt was first to react sweeping up the ball and sprinting away to score Burton’s second try of the game under the posts. Bunting added the conversion and Burton had closed the gap to just 2 points with about 6 minutes remaining. Sheffield 16-14 Burton.

In the last 6 minutes the intensity of the game continued at an exceptional level without either team being able to add to their score, so Burton had to settle for a single losing bonus point. The result was probably a fair one on the balance of play. Despite the result from the corresponding home game the Burton team and coaches should be pleased with this point as it sees them remain in 8th position in the league, level on points with Broadstreet at the top of the bottom half of the table. Next week’s game sees another side at the top of the league, Bridgnorth, visit Battlestead Croft.