Containing regular team members plus ‘B’ and Colts players, that took to the field to entertain an Ashbourne side. But on a cold and wet Ox-Hay they proved to be too strong for the visiting youngsters as they ran in nine tries for an awesome victory that was full of open and expansive rugby. Unfortunately Burton’s kickers had an off day and with only two conversions landed from this nine try haul or else the final score line would have been far greater.

Burton started well, playing some French-style rugby that saw the ball being given plenty of air and soon scored a well, deserved try as Rory Peverill dived over in the corner for the first of his three tries. Burton continued to play fast rugby with Karl English and Harry ’Hammer’ Titley carving up Ashbourne’s midfield defences. Unfortunately every attacking move seemed destined to end in a forward pass or knock-on.

However, within fifteen minutes Burton got it together and scored two more tries through Alistair Eastwood and the jinking Peverill to take the score to 17-0. Seeing the backs getting all the points goaded the Burton forwards into action and some great mauling with Rick Paupe, Dan Clarke and Ben Stone to the fore, saw Damon Varney powering over in the corner.

Trailing 22-0 the visitors started the second half and soon showed that far from giving up and being down hearted they were more than prepared to battle on. Ashbourne stuck to their task well and some resolute defending stopped many promising Burton attacks and at times they showed their own attacking skills. Indeed a great run by their slender secondrow saw him power through Burton’s centres only to be stopped by a magnificent, crunching tackle from Stone some ten-metres out. But as the ball spilled free Tom Myles picked-up and passed to Eastwood for Burton to counter. He linked with Stone and English who both battered through the cover to allow Rory Peverill to race clear, but fearing for his pocket, he passed to ever, supporting Steve Cross to touchdown when his third try was only inches away.

Burton piled on more pressure as the game progressed and a late flourish of tries saw Will Brooks, Dave Poole and Ben Marshall all get their names on the score sheet. But it was try scoring machine Peverill who had the final say as he completed a move involving a dozen Burton players to touch down in the corner to complete his hat trick. Marshall’s conversion sailed over the bar to complete the day’s scoring and Burton ran out worthy 49-0 winners.