Burton produced their best performance of this season to beat Lichfield in a pulsating local derby.
Burton kicked off with a considerable breeze at their backs, however Lichfield were soon on the attack. Over eagerness saw Burton concede two penalties in quick succession and Massey was able to claim three points for the visitors. Matters got worse quickly when, after a spell of pressure, Turner took an inside ball 10 metres out and crossed for a try. The conversion made the score-line 0-10 after just eight minutes.
Burton got their fist go forward of the game but conceded a penalty on the opposing twenty two. Burton had to back-track before Kelvin Browne made a turn-over and Harry Titley hoisted an up and under. Sam Benjamin chased well and under pressure the Lichfield back three conceded a penalty. Dave Archer confidently drilled the ball over the bar.
Good build-up play from Burton took them swiftly back over half way and Titley dinked a chip over the advancing Right Winger which left the Full Back with no option but to carry the ball into touch. James Davies found Josh Cartwright at the lineout however Lichfield didn’t engage to create a maul so Daryl Banton spun the ball to his backs but the ball was knocked on in midfield.
Lichfield cleared their lines but Banton and Benjamin combined to take play back quickly into the opposing twenty two, before Titley pulled a ball back inside to Jack Neale and the Flanker was over for a try. Archer’s conversion levelled the scores after sixteen frantic minutes.
Neale and Cartwright dealt with a difficult kick off between them and Titley kicked deep to the Lichfield twenty two. Pressure from Browne at the breakdown earned his side a penalty and Archer gave Burton the lead with a thirty five metre kick, making light of the poor under-foot conditions.
Titley was using the wind to great effect and pushing his side forward, however a short lineout move saw Lichfield break out of defence rapidly requiring a great tackle from Archer to avert the danger. The Line-Out was a little bit messy but Tom Murphy and Will Roach choke tackled the receiver and Burton were able to advance from the turn-over with some fluent play, however a forward pass brought the move to a close.
It was Lichfield’s turn to attack and not for the only time when Burton were caught a bit narrow, their opponents kindly brought the ball back in-field. Great defensive work from Jack Brooks held Lichfield out but the pressure mounted and Benjamin was yellow carded.
Lichfield kicked to the corner and a slick lineout at the tail put Evans through a gap. Banton stopped his opposite number half a metre short but Milner followed up to score. The conversion narrowed the lead to three points.
Burton managed to get their hands on the ball and smartly used their forwards to keep some possession. Davies, Murphy and Roach blasted forward before the backs were let loose. Archer hit a superb line off his wing in midfield and breached the defensive line. With a two on one against the Full Back he found Loz Betty on his inside, however the defence scrambled and the big Centre did very well to finish the score. Archer popped the kick over to make it 27-17.
Lichfield applied pressure to fourteen man Burton but the defence was excellent resulting in a penalty and then a 10 metre bonus for the hosts as Lichfield spoke out of turn.
The second half started with Craig Dutton running the kick back, however Burton knocked on. Lichfield attacked for a spell before Banton made an interception and combined with Benjamin to take the ball swiftly into the opposing twenty two. The cover defence held out but the No. 8 was yellow carded. Burton were unable to make the numerical advantage pay during a scrappy period of play.
Sam Smith replaced Jack Brooks in the Centre. A mighty Burton scrummage marched forward 10 metres over the twenty two but when the ensuing move failed play was taken back for an offside and Archer claimed the three points.
Lichfield began to sense the worst and play with increased urgency. Prop Dom Musetti pulled off a great tackle on a Centre to hold off dange,r but the visitors kept the ball and played several phases in midfield before a penalty was awarded to Burton. It was time for fresh legs for the Crofters with James Burrough replacing Davies and Ed Saunders replacing Dutton.
Burton kicked to touch and from the lineout Lichfield strayed off-side and Archer maintained his 100% record off the tee with the kick.
Drizzle fell briefly and Lichfield mounted an attack up the left wing. Play was taken in field and the home side conceded a penalty. It appeared the scrum had been called but Lichfield took it quickly and Murphy was yellow-carded requiring Dutton and Saunders to swap back so that the former could prop up the scrum. This time the scrum was called and Massey finished well towards the left wing. The kick was unsuccessful leaving the score 33-22 with fifteen minutes to play and Burton a man down.
Lichfield threw everything into the closing stages but poor accuracy at times helped the Burton cause. Under great pressure Burton to a man accepted the challenge and snuffed out repeated attacks with great defence.
Restored to a full compliment Burton took play into their opponents half in search of bonus point try which alas didn’t come. Burton thoroughly deserved the win and if they manage to cheat relegation this will go down as a pivotal day. Next week sees an away trip to Longton, who currently sit one place clear of relegation, so really Burton must win to keep any hope alive.