An injury hit Burton, which resulted in major changes to the back row, travelled to strugglers Paviors. Burton looking to extend their winning run were left frustrated by an impressive home team display and atrocious weather conditions as a second bonus point just evaded them. On a cold but dry mid-December day Burton kicked-off playing up a slight slope and the early exchanges of the game saw play fluctuate either side of the half-way line with neither side giving any ground easily. The line-outs were competitive but fair and the home side slowly began to build some sustained possession. Following the award of a penalty Paviors kicked into the Burton half and won the resulting line-out which they then moved very nicely along their backs up to the right of Burton’s “22”. The ball was recycled and moved left to find a slight gap in the Burton defence for the opening score of the game. An excellent conversion added the extras and gave them the lead after just 5 minutes of the game. Paviors 7-0 Burton.

From the re-start Paviors retained possession but Burton were quickly able to turn this over making much quicker headway up to the Paviors 5 metre line where they were awarded a penalty and opted to kick for touch for the throw at the line-out. Pavio[[/b]rs were very strong in defence and although they looked offside in midfield this was not given and eventually Burton knocked on for the game’s first scrum. Paviors were able to relieve some pressure from their own line before Burton showed their class with the ball in hand to take play back up to the Paviors 10 metre line only to end up being forced into touch. With their next phase of possession Burton again demonstrated their ability in the backs as Alex Nesbitt broke through the home defence and linked to supporting Burton players to put significant pressure on the home try line. Although this was temporarily held up, prop Segundo De Olmos was unstoppable from close range to score Burton’s first points of the afternoon. Will Simpson added the conversion to level up the scores almost mid-way through the first half. Paviors 7-7 Burton.

The next score came just 2 minutes later when Burton again showed their class to return to the home danger zone where Alfredo Bergada took the final pass into space and scored a well worked try under the posts. Simpson made no mistake with the straightforward conversion and Burton took the lead for the first time in the game. Paviors 7-14 Burton. A very harsh decision against Burton form the re-start handed Paviors an opportunity to get straight into the Burton danger zone once again. A good kick to the Burton 5 metre line and the line-out secured saw them take full advantage by scoring a converted try just to the left of the posts after about 25 minutes. Paviors 14-14 Burton.

Burton were obviously annoyed with the way the scores had been levelled and upped their game, firstly through some excellent dominant defensive tackling which forced a knock on by the home team. From the scrum Burton then displayed some wonderful handling throughout the team to open up the home defence and James Davies took the final pass to score to the left of the posts after 30 minutes. Simpson added the conversion again and Burton moved back into the lead. Paviors 14-21 Burton.

Unsurprisingly Paviors looked to hit back straight from the re-start but the Burton defence held firm and the ball was eventually cleared from deep inside their own half up to the 10 metre line. Burton were then penalised in the next phase of play and Paviors opted for a scrum just inside the Burton “22”. Burton managed to overturn possession once again and another clearance kick relieved the pressure and resulted in a Burton line-out on the home “22” left side. Burton secured possession and spun the ball through the hands delightfully with Elliot Grant getting the touchdown about 3 minutes before the break. Simpson added the conversion which gave Burton a two score lead. Paviors 14-28 Burton. Unfortunately Burton were unable to hold on to this lead before the end of the half as Paviors struck back again with the last play before half-time scoring a somewhat controversial converted try in the left corner meaning the teams went into the changing rooms with the score Paviors 21-28 Burton.

The second half started with Paviors taking advantage of a seemingly lacklustre and perhaps frustrated Burton, moving the ball through the hands without much resistance they scored on the left, with their first attack, an unconverted try. Paviors 26-28 Burton. With the drizzle now falling the conditions began to suit the home team style of play and as a result the lions share of possession went to them over the next few minutes. Burton’s defensive efforts were admirable, however, Paviors pressure was relentless and they re-took the lead with another unconverted try on the left after 7 minutes. Paviors 31-28 Burton.

The shock of going behind again prompted a spirited response from Burton and began to wrestle back some control of the game. In Paviors they met another resilient team who were not about to roll over and give in. The scoring frenzy of the early stages of the second half subsided but it was Burton who got the next score after about 25 minutes of the second half. Despite the increasingly wet conditions, Burton continued to run the ball with great skill and pace. Eventually, Nesbitt made a lovely break and then fed the supporting Bunting who sprinted away to score in the left corner. Although the conversion proved too difficult Burton had retaken the lead in this incredibly close contest. Paviors 31-33 Burton.

There was more controversy to follow when the whole crowd witnessed a punch thrown at Cory Beck that, unbelievably, went unpunished by the referee. The whole Burton team showed incredible composure and discipline by refusing to become involved in any altercation despite the obvious provocation. With about 10 minutes remaining Paviors struck a crucial blow when they scored on the right a converted try. Paviors 38-33 Burton. To make matters worse Burton were denied a losing bonus point when a clever kick through was successfully chased and the final converted try of the game went to the home team. Paviors 45-33 Burton. The final action of the game saw Burton trying to regain that bonus point and despite a yellow card being shown to a Paviors player they crucially lost possession just yards short of the try line and final whistle blew.

Another fine performance by Burton, particularly bearing in mind the number of back row injuries. In all honesty, the result was probably just about right as Paviors were slightly the better team. The attitude and discipline of the Burton team was matched by a collective performance which if maintained will, no doubt, bring Burton the success this improving team deserves. Burton remain 9th in the league as they face a challenging run of fixtures against teams mainly in the top half of the table over the coming weeks starting with Scunthorpe at home next Saturday before the Christmas and New Year break.