Burton entered this game following a big defeat by Bromsgrove 2 weeks ago knowing that the next few games could offer them a real chance to pick up much needed points against teams lying with them in the bottom half of the league. Whilst the effort levels on show were highly visible, quality was not and in their visitors, Syston, they came up against a very ill disciplined but reasonably effective team who took chances offered up to them. It was a game that started so well for the home team, taking the lead twice in the first half but falling behind just before the break.

The early part of the game was dominated in terms of possession by Syston. The Burton defence was, however, good and held firm not allowing the opposition to make much in terms of headway. Syston were also guilty of a number of handling errors, one of which resulted in a scrum to Burton on the10 metre line. A free kick as a result of a Syston offence in the scrum was taken quickly and Burton took this first opportunity with the ball in hand to progress up to the Syston ‘22’ which ended with a Burton penalty. This was kicked to touch and from the line out Syston knocked on and the scrum gave Burton the platform to mount their first attack on the visitors line. Having won the scrum Burton moved the ball through to the centre of the pitch where Tristan De Jagger found a gap in the defence and touched down between the posts. Chaz Bunting knocked over the easy conversion and Burton went into the lead after about 10 minutes. Burton 7-0 Syston.

From the re-start Burton made their way back to the half way line but lost possession only for another knock on by a Syston player. Burton were then penalised for driving too early at the scrum and Syston benefited from a number of missed tackles and progressed to the Burton ‘22’ where they again penalised. The Burton kick failed to make touch and Syston moved the ball back into Burton territory eventually being awarded a penalty for a high tackle just outside the ‘22’. Syston kicked up to the 5 metre line, secured their own line out but did not appear to have the quality to break down the dominant Burton defence. A scrum on the Burton ‘22’ was adjudged to have been wheeled by Syston and a quick tap and run from Burton saw them progress to half way once again. Unfortunately Syston regained possession somehow at the maul and took advantage of poor tackling by Burton to score their first try of the game after around 20 minutes. The conversion was successful and the scores were level. Burton 7-7 Syston.

The game continued to be very scrappy for the next few minutes with Syston making slow progress into the Burton half. Burton did not help themselves either when they kicked away advantage possession. Syston secured line out ball on the right side of the Burton ‘22’ and moved the ball left only for Jamie Dutton to superbly intercept a pass and run away to score Burton’s second try under the posts. Bunting added the extras and Burton were in the lead for the second time in the match. Burton 14-7 Syston. Burton were guilty of switching off at the re-start and the bobbling ball was collected by a Syston player only to be penalised for some mysterious reason. The kick to touch took Burton up to half way where they were then driven into touch by Syston.

The first runners for Syston were now beginning to penetrate the home defence on frequent occasions and began to gain some momentum. What seemed like some excellent defensive work in the tackle/maul was then inexplicably penalised. From the resulting attack Syston were able to move the ball, maintain possession and eventually score to the left of the posts. A successful conversion meant the scores were tied once again. Burton 14-14 Syston. In the process of attempting to save the try from being scored Dutton was given a somewhat surprising yellow card so sat out the next 10 minutes.
Syston now sensed that they could get a victory from the game and Burton were struggling to get any pattern of flow into their game. The final score of the half went to the visitors following a clearance kick from Burton that did not make touch giving them the chance to slowly but effectively cross the line for their third try just before the half time whistle. A missed conversion meant that the half time score was Burton 14-19 Syston.

Early in the second half a penalty against Syston lead to a Burton throw which they secured only to be penalised for holding on in the tackle. The Syston line out on the 10 metre line was won and they moved the ball to the left but then knocked on to hand a scrum to Burton. Neither side seemed to be able to put together any really meaningful phases of play at this stage of the game as the very scrappy affair continued. Frustration set in and the game began to deteriorate into a very fractious affair and after 10 minutes a yellow card was issued to one player from each side.

Burton then managed to retain possession of the ball only for a Syston player to intercept in similar fashion to Dutton’s try earlier after about 12 minutes. A successful conversion meant the Syston lead extended further. Burton 14-26 Syston. The scrappy nature of the game continued, which seemed to suit leaders Syston who were quite happy now to see out time even though there was plenty of it left to play. Unfortunately the nature of the game also changed with the visitors initiating several scuffles. Burton were very harshly adjudged to be equally responsible for these as the referee issued two further yellow cards, one to each side, mid way through the half. Burton did, at least, rally slightly towards the end of the game but it was clear that it was just not to be their day.