Defeat at the hands of Old Halesonians consigned Burton to relegation just one season after promotion via the Play-Off. It has been a tough season but the players can hold their heads up for the way they have kept going against opposition a lot of which is semi-professional.
Burton kicked off and retrieved the ball before playing through several phases. Daryl Banton used the strong cross wind to great effect as his diagonal kick took play 40 metres forward and to the Old Halesonians twenty two.
Old Hales kicked clear but as Burton counter-attacked Sam Benjamin picked up a knock and was replaced by Pete Baum.
Old Hales had a huge weight advantage in the pack, but Burton were awarded a Free Kick at the first scrum, alas the ball was knocked on almost immediately. Old Hales moved the ball well all afternoon and made thirty metres very quickly into the Burton twenty two. Desperate defence led to a penalty being conceded on the try line. Old Hales opted for a scrummage and produced a very good drive before the No 8 scored. The conversion was missed but the home side led with thirteen minutes on the clock.
Old Hales were on the attack soon after the Kick Off with their 12 and 14 combining well before great defence from Baum forced a penalty. Harry Titley found a good touch but Burton lost their own line-out and Old Hales ran play back to the Burton twenty two. Old Hales went through several phases before crossing in the right hand corner. Joe Briggs had valiantly tackled during the build-up but dislocated a knuckle and had an open wound to a finger which requires surgery. Lee English has also suffered a head injury so the damage was far worse than just the five points from the unconverted try. James Burrough replaced Briggs and Benjamin returned in place of English.
The misfortune continued as following a deep kick from Old Hales their winger was awarded a try when he and Liam Hucknall scrambled to get there first. The conversion was added.
The pressure was relentless but a good carry from James Davies after a defensive lineout gave Dave Archer the chance to smash the ball into the opposition half. The respite was brief as a penalty was conceded. Old Hales kicked to touch won a lineout and their Fly half jinked through for a try. The conversion made the score 24-0.
Burton produced some glimpses of good play through Will Roach and Benjamin but they were unable to a hold an advanced position for any period.
Sam Smith made a crucial tackle but a string of penalties were conceded and Burrough was yellow carded. A further try followed and great work Jack Neale prevented another score on the stroke of half time.
Shortly after the kick off Archer lifted Burton spirits with a sensational try. He broke the defensive line on half way and his weaving run turned the Full Back, however it appeared three other defenders would engulf him, but he managed somehow to evade them. Unfortunately the kick wasn’t on target.
Adam King tidied up an awkward kick off however Burton were pinned back. Craig Dutton replaced Dave Henry at Lock. A penalty was conceded by Burton and Old Hales transferred the ball to the Right Wing after a scrummage and crossed for a try.
Burton enjoyed there first continued spell of possession with Hucknall, Banton, Roach, Benjamin, Archer and Baum involved. Sadly a knock on gave possession back to the home side and after a serried of penalties they scored a try under the posts.
Burton were competing better than they had in the first half and good work from Burrough and Banton was followed by several phases. Titley then made a half break and before the defence was able envelope him he kicked towards the right wing. Under pressure from Baum the winger mis-judged the bounce and Banton was able to kick forward gather and score in the corner. Archer converted majestically from the touch-line.
Old Hales were hammering away at Burton line when Archer was yellow carded for entering a ruck from the side. Several further attempts were held up but a Penalty Try was awarded.
On half way Burton pressured the Scrum Half at the base of a scrum but were deemed to have done so illegally and after some expansive play the numerical advantage was exploited with a final try and conversion for the home side.
After the kick-off King, in his first full appearance, turned the ball over but was impeded. Burton tapped quickly and then Jack Brooks pierced the defensive line and found Banton in support. Banton crossed a try and drop-kicked the conversion as the last act of the game.
Old Hales were worthy winners but it was a spirited second half performance from Burton.