The last fixture of 2021 proved to be entertaining and hard fought with neither side being able to break the deadlock. Burton fully deserved the draw against fellow mid-table team Scunthorpe who, earlier in the season, had inflicted a heavy defeat on them. Burton were not helped by a big penalty count against them throughout the game and although this must have been infuriating they kept their composure unlike many in the home crowd.

As in all games so far this season the opening exchanges saw each team size up their opposition and as Scunthorpe attacked, the Burton defence was strong and gave little away. Eventually Burton were awarded a penalty and although the kick did not go into touch it was well chased by Tristan De Jager who forced Scunthorpe to clear for a Burton throw-in just inside the “22”. Burton won the line-out well and drove the ensuing maul all the way over the try line but the referee was not able to see a clear grounding of the ball so no try was given.

Scunthorpe chose to run the scrum ball and made steady progress up to their 10 metre line where the ball was knocked on for a Burton scrum. This scrum unlike the first one was very stable and gave Burton the platform to put Scunthorpe under pressure with a grubber kick almost to the corner, which was fumbled by the away team and allowed chasing Alex Nesbitt to pick up and score in the left corner after about 7 minutes play. The conversion attempt fell just short but Burton had taken the lead. Burton 5-0 Scunthorpe.

From the re-start Burton ran the ball back up to the half-way line but then knocked on for a scrum to Scunthorpe. The excellent Burton defence was instrumental in forcing Scunthorpe to overplay and a rushed pass was knocked on by them for another Burton scrum. An injury to Corey Beck meant quite a lengthy delay to proceedings but thankfully he was OK to continue. At this stage Burton were seeking, at almost every opportunity, to put pressure on the Scunthorpe back three. From the next of their penetrating kicks Scunthorpe were forced to clear up to their own 10 metre line on the left for a Burton throw-in at the line-out. Although Scunthorpe turned over possession Burton soon won the ball back and great handling allowed them to create their next score. This was beautifully finished off by Alfredo Bergada who spotted a gap in the defence and used his exceptional pace to carve through and score under the posts after 15 minutes. Chaz Bunting added the conversion to increase their lead further. Burton 12-0 Scunthorpe.

Burton then knocked on from the re-start to hand possession straight back to Scunthorpe. Great defensive work by the whole Burton team kept the visitors at bay and indeed led to yet another knock on in midfield. A further injury to Beck meant another delay to proceedings and then the scrum at the re-commencement of play had to be re-set 3 times before the referee lost his patience and decided Burton were at fault. Scunthorpe took maximum advantage of this somewhat fortuitous situation and forced their way, with the help of further penalties against the home team, into the Burton “22”. Having used the blind side to their advantage a line-out was won and the visitors found a huge gap in the home defence to score their first try of the afternoon after 25 minutes. A successful conversion reduced the deficit to Burton 12-7 Scunthorpe.

From the re-start De Jager got his hands on the ball but was adjudged to have knocked on and Scunthorpe were given the put-in at the scrum. Scrappy play over the next few minutes resulted in several scrum re-starts as the wet ball obviously made it difficult to play expansive rugby. A good break by James Davies Radcliffe lead to nothing as he could not find a supporting player with his offload. As the half wore on the referees whistle disrupted any flow in the game and it was Scunthorpe who benefited, in the main, with what seemed like penalty after penalty after penalty. Burton were coming under increased pressure but managed to keep Scunthorpe out with a well taken line-out steal on their own 5 metre line and Bunting cleared just beyond the “22”. A combination of more knock-ons by Scunthorpe and some excellent defensive work by Burton forcing those knock-ons, should have resulted in the half-time score being Burton 12-7 Scunthorpe but with the last play of the half from yet another harsh penalty award Burton conceded the lead so went in trailing Burton 12-14 Scunthorpe.

With the wind increasing a little at half time the game unsurprisingly remained a tight affair and both sides felt they had the chance to go on and win it. But both teams struggled to get any real momentum going despite an incredible amount of effort being made. Scunthorpe had the lions share of possession which did not help Burton’s cause at all. As Burton began to gain a little more possession the home supporters were hoping for a little bit of magic from the home team but they were up against a resolute Scunthorpe defence which was very hard to break down.

The penalty count against the home team continued to be very high and again Burton suffered with the only yellow card of the game after about 10 minutes of the second half. From yet another penalty Scunthorpe were able to add to their lead to make the score Burton12-17 Scunthorpe after 15 minutes. Bergada again showed his pace and quick feet but was stopped by foul play and Burton moved close to the Scunthorpe try line for another line-out. Possession was retained from the throw and Bunting made a decisive break on the blind side to score Burton’s third try of the afternoon in the right corner. The conversion proved too difficult but Burton had tied the scores with just under 20 minutes left to play. Burton 17-17 Scunthorpe.

The tight tussle of the game continued for the rest of the half but neither side was able to produce that little bit of pure quality that would have clinched the result they were both seeking. Scunthorpe did have opportunities to kick a couple of penalties but missed them both and both defences came out on top as no further points could be added. Burton will probably be the happier of the two teams, with the result, particularly after the heavy defeat in the first meeting. A run of games against sides at the top of the league should hold no fear for a now confident Burton team which is improving week on week. Man of the match was James Davies Radcliffe for an excellent performance in the back row.