Having won only one match in this campaign the home team were hoping for a win against a team below them in the league. In the early exchanges both teams cancelled each other out with handling errors made by both sides.

However, the Burton pack were getting on top in the set scrums with the front row being bolstered by debutante prop Corey Beck. Burton were awarded a series of penalties for offences at the scrum and turned down three kickable chances in favour of kicking for the corner. At around about the 25-minute mark they eventually made one the penalties pay off. The forwards drove the ball over the line with hooker James Davies getting the touch down. Scrum half Charlie Bunting kicked the conversion so the home team took a 7-0 lead.

From the restart Burton came under pressure and virtually spent the remainder of the half in their own 22 metre area. In their desperation to get hold of the ball they committed an offence at the breakdown and the Broadstreet fly half kicked a straightforward penalty goal. There was no further significant action in the half so the score at half time was 7-3 to Burton.

From the restart Burton again came under pressure but were able to clear their lines. In truth handling was difficult on a day when it didn’t stop raining for the whole match. However, Burton tried to run the ball but it was dropped in the centre. The Broadstreet fullback eagerly picked it up and ran unopposed from the halfway line to score under the posts. The fly half added the extra two points so the visitors were leading 10-7.
Burton had their fair of possession but wasted it through a series of poor kicks and handling errors. The visitors’ defence was strong and they were able to deal with anything that Burton could throw at them. By this time Broadstreet were getting parity in the scrums and were winning their own ball cleanly. They got into the 22 and Burton were penalised for not rolling away from a tackle. The fly half kicked a goal to extend their lead.

Burton attacked again but the Broadstreet defence held firm and Burton were unable to cross the try line. This was a poor match played in very difficult conditions which the visitors were better able to cope with and once again Burton will have to be happy with a losing bonus point. The final score was Burton 7 Broadstreet 13.

Report by Nick Counter