A powerful South Leicester side put Burton through a very difficult opening home game in National 3 Midlands and a second consecutive defeat.
Burton applied pressure from the kick off and produced a mighty first scrummage driving the heavier opposing pack backwards. South absorbed the pressure and broke out of their half for the first time before being awarded a penalty. Aley stroked the kick over the bar but could not repeat this two minutes later.
Burton then pushed forward and Eddie Nicholls pushed through a great kick into the 22. South won their lineout and kicked to just inside half way. James Burrough found Josh Cartwright in the lineout before Nicholls spun the ball out to Ian Glimour. The Fly Half stepped the first onrushing defender, raced towards the posts and as it seemed the cover defence would engulf him bought some time and found Nicholls on his shoulder to take the scoring pass. Daryl Banton found the target and Burton led 7-3.
Burton executed a perfect exit play from the kick off with Sam Smith smashing the ball beyond half way. South were soon attacking and Harry Titley made a try saving tackle before the visitors moved the ball out to Robinson on the right wing for a try which Aley converted.
Burton exerted some pressure for several minutes but lost ground and then a lineout in their twenty two from which Gates crossed from the centre. Aley’s conversion made it 7-17. Kelvin Browne limped off to be replaced by Ed Henry.
South Leicester were very strong and canny at the breakdown making it difficult for Burton to gain any quick ball. The Crofters were pinned inside their own twenty two for a spell before a strong scrummage earned a penalty. Gilmour made a good touch from the next play and Dom Musseti gathered a stray throw and bundled forward. South were able to recover the ball and made ground quickly before squandering an overlap, however their forwards recovered the situation and Cope touched down just inside the left touchline. Aley’s kick hit the bar.
Burton got turned overfrom the kick off and despite Danny Smith stopping his giant opposing wing, Cope was on hand to take the off-load and score a try which Aley converted.
Tom Murphy replaced Musseti at loose head. Jono Parkinson took the kick excellently and made ground but South were soon on the attack again and with Burton missing tackles Robinson was able to score the corner. Aley made a great conversion. Joe Briggs replaced Ken Archer with Jack Neal moving to Lock.
Burton scrambled to halt another attack from South but prop Watkins was able to continue the move and score under the posts. Aley again converted. Sam Smith left the field with a leg injury prompting the return of Archer and a move to the Centre for Parkinson. Gilmour and Nicholls combined well in attack however Burton were unable to capitalise on the momentum.
Tempers frayed as a mass brawl broke out in front of the dug-outs. The Referee chose not to use any cards but would issue a yellow to Archer minutes later as Burton were out scrummaged for the only time in the match and the Lock was penalised at the breakdown after Henry had tidied up at the base. The South Leicester seven was then yellow carded and Musseti replaced Matt Tivey.
Alex Nesbitt made a good break in the centre but South were able to contain the attack sand launch one of their own from which Cope scored. Aley missed the kick on this occasion. A driving maul shortly afterwards led to a try for Scrum Half McFedries. Aley bisected the uprights to hoist the tally to 55.
The South Leicester six was yellow carded. A god break by Titley was continued by Danny Smith before a head high tackle by his opposing wing brought the Burton spectators to their feet and the visitors received a third sin binning.
Nesbitt made an excellent run into the twenty two before Burton used quick hands to reach Banton who scored the try and then the conversion. The score would remain 14-55 for the remaining minutes.
Burton visit Bourneville next week with a lot at stake as both sides will be looking for their first victory.