Burton kicked off on Peel Croft where the going looked heavy after the rain of Friday evening. Despite a good chase from Burton, Old Halesonians took play across half way. Jono Parkinson turned the ball over before advancing twenty metres, Jack Brooks then made further ground but the move ended with a knock-on. Old Hales made ground from the scrummage and after a couple of phases were forced into touch in the twenty two.
Burton kicked clear after the lineout and Old Hales counter attacked but were thwarted by good defensive pressure, notably from Craig Dutton and Tom Murphy. Burton then went on the attack through runs by Dewi Williams and Eddie Nicholls before a penalty was awarded and Sam Smith kicked the three points.
A kicking exchange pressed Full Back Daryl Banton into duty and was ended when Banton made an excellent chase and held the receiver up with assistance from his pack. Nicholls found touch in the opposing twenty two and Burton drove the lineout into touch. James Burrough found Joe Gazzard and Burton drove before spinning the ball, with Williams off his wing fending two defended before off-loading but Nick Oxley ran out of width and was forced into touch. Old Hales cleared and as has been happening recently Burton left with nothing to show for their pressure.
In the next attack from Old Hales Burton were extremely narrow in their defence and Old Hales made no mistake in putting their Full Back Hooper through for a try which he converted. Heavy rain fell for five minutes and Burton needed to continue as they had before the try, but lost the ball in midfield and Old Hales kicked deep for their Right Winger Smith to hare after hack forward then touch down. Hooper converted and Burton were trailing 3-14.
After the Kick Off play went back to half way before Harry Titley made a break and neat pass to Jack Neal who returned the ball to his Fly Half who was obstructed after a chip. Burton kicked for the corner and Liam Hucknall took the lineout, Burton drove forward but gave away a penalty. Old Hales made their way back to half way before Burton played through several phases and Old Hales strayed off-side in the middle of the field. Sam Smith’s penalty effort at a very difficult penalty fell short there was little more of note in the half after a sweeping attack from Old Hales was snuffed out.
Burton their rolling substitutions by introducing Will Roach, Dom Musetti and Ed Henry. Burton made a promising start to the half with Hucknall, Gazzard, Henry, Murphy, Roach, Banton Parkinson and Williams all making yards. The most enterprising play of the whole game looked as if it would be rewarded with a try but as Oxley stretched one handed in the tackle the Referee was on hand and deemed that control had been lost. After this disappointment for Burton, a series of penalties gave Old Hales gain sufficient ground to kick a penalty.
From the kick off Gazzard out in a big hit, but Old Hales pressed forward firstly through their huge prop who made it the twenty two before the backs took over and Jordan crossed for a score which went unconverted.
Burton responded with attacking intent and after several phases Banton chipped towards the line and Old Hales were forced to take it over. Good defence prevented Hucknall making ground from the base of the scrum. The Burton pack battered away but could not make real progress and conceded another penalty at the breakdown.
A period of scrappy play followed for approaching ten minutes as the heavy conditions took their toll. Old Hales Scrum Half Jones made a smart break and scored an unconverted try with ten minutes remaining.
Burton chased the kick off and pinned their opponents back for a couple of minutes before Old Hales looked to run the ball from their own half but Brooks intercepted and headed for the line. Cover defence prevented Brooks from crossing but Neal was in support to score and unconverted try.
The next Old Hales attack including some excellent handling and they crossed for a fifth try which went unconverted.
A eleventh defeat for Burton was now inevitable but once again they played to the final whistle. Roach and Ken Archer forced a penalty for holding on. Dutton took a quick tap, Burrough in support then released Oxley on the wing. Smith converted to make the final score 15-32.