The Burton line-up saw league debuts for Dom Musetti at Prop and Jack Neal at Flanker. James Davies switching to Hooker only weeks ago was in the starting line-up. Ken Archer & Danny Smith were returning to league duty after their serious ankle injuries at the end of the 2012-13 season.

Ken Archer caught the kick off and moments later Dave Archer was launching a penalty to half way. The next significant action was a raking kick from Archer into the corner, however Scunthorpe were able to clear their lines.

Scunthorpe were on the attack next and instead of using an overlap they chipped ahead and Danny Smith was able to touch the ball down over the line. A clever drop-out chipped up into the hands of Sam Smith saw him racing up the field, however the Referee called him back for off-side.

Scunthorpe were over prone to over complicating play in midfield, however the majority of play was taking place in the Burton half. Rain earlier in the day left the ball greasy and there were numerous handling areas and therefore repeated scrimmages. Musetti, Davies and Matt Tivey were solid and began to get on top in this area.

Burton were also defending well with a high work rate and having weathered an extended period of pressure Loz Betty hit a good line and set up a ruck on half way. Scrum Half Eddie Nicholls sniped through a gap and got behind the forwards before showing great pace and composure to beat the cover defence and finally Full Back for a brilliant try. Dave Archer converted giving Burton a 7-0 lead after 16 minutes.

Scunthorpe rallied and played through several phases halted by good defence from Josh Cartwright, Craig Dutton and Neal. Kiwi wing Vaimoso then broke a couple of tackles to score under the posts. Johnson converted to level the scores.

Archer kicked off deep into the Scunthorpe twenty two and Burton managed to charge down the kick and pin Scunthorpe back but not come away with any points. As play returned to the Burton half, a penalty was conceded and Scunthorpe went in the lead.
Betty twisted his ankle so Harry Titley moved up to 12 and Daryl Banton came on at Full Back.

Scunthorpe missed a penalty with five minutes of the half remaining, however another target was half to make the score 13-7 at the break.

Burton started the half in promising fashion as Neal ran back a kick and found Jono Parkinson in support. A penalty was awarded against Scunthorpe for not releasing and Archer bisected the uprights. Shortly afterwards he was lining one up from two yards inside his own half and whilst the kick had the distance it missed narrowly to the right.

Scunthorpe applied a lot of pressure and Burton conceded a few penalties to see them camped in their own half. Untidy ball at the base of a scrum was seized upon by Scunthorpe and they surged towards the line. Play was held up short of the line but the Referee gave a penalty and a Yellow Card to Neal. Scunthorpe took the three points.

Ed Henry replaced Dutton and Jamie Hamilton replaced Matt Tivey as the coaches looked to introduce some fresh legs to counter the numerical disadvantage. The penalties continued as Burton were under immense pressure. Johnson missed a kick at goal and Scunthorpe selected a series of scrummages near their left wing. There were several re-sets and several fresh penalties before a Penalty Try was awarded and a ten point margin stabilised after the successful conversion.

Burton looked to force their way back into the game with Danny Smith, Nicholls and Sam Benjamin all making twenty metre breaks as the game surged between the twenty twos. In the dying moments Scunthorpe were awarded a penalty at a scrummage and the kick sailed over taking the score to 29-10.

Burton entertain South Leicester next week and it is the home games that will provide the best opportunities for league points.