The A team started their debut league campaign with a well fought win over Birstall.
With the teams never having faced each other, neither team were sure what to expect.

The A's were able to name a strong team despite some absentees. Rhys Williams and Andy Martin both making their debuts, alongside some tof the more familiar faces of Cam Scobie and Joe Gazzard, with Josh Lister returning to the club after a season with Barton. Big mention to youngster Lucas Wright stepping onto the wing despite been a number 8 by trade.

With back to back promotions (ignoring the missed season) Birstall fielded a strong heavy pack with some speed to burn in the backs.

The game started quite slowly on a calm but humid day at Battlestead Croft, with both teams battling for territory and probing for weaknesses.
It took around 20 minutes for any real action, after several penalties and strong carries by the pack. The ball found its way to No.8 Joe Gazzard to gallop in for the first try of the day. The conversion was missed. 5-0

From this the game sparked into life, with Birstall finding good success with their scrummaging and pacey wingers causing problems. They battered the Burton line and were eventually rewarded with a penalty which the fly half duly slotted to bring the scores to 5-3.

The remainder of the half was a frustrating one for the home side as they seemed to tire and allowed Birstall easy yards up the pitch, this eventually saw the Birstall winger break through some weak tackles to go over in the corner, a brilliant conversion brought the halftime score to;

Burton 5-10 Birstall

The second half kicked off in a similar vein to the first, both teams looking for territory and dominance. It took the home side 10 minutes to be camped on the Birstall, and after getting held up several times, Joe Gazzard crashed over for his 2nd try of the match, with Andy Brown slotting the conversion, 12-10.

Immediately from the kick off, Burton started attacking, good breaks from Gazzard and Brown, opened up the space for converted winger for the day Lucas Wright to go over in the corner, a great touchline conversion from Brown brought the score to 19-10.

Birstall began the next restart on top, recovering the ball and setting up inside the Burton 22, they hammered the line again, but were kept out by some great defence from the young home team. Eventually the ball was turned over and a clearing kick took the pressure off the boys. They stole the ensuing lineout and used several passages of play, Rhys Williams made a break on halfway, offloaded to the supporting Andy Martin who found Josh Lister on the outside, who went over in the corner to bring the score to 26-10 after yet another touchline conversion from Brown.

For the next 15 minutes Burton hardly had any ball, and when they did, were sloppy and allowed the turnover which gave Birstall chance to get back into the game. 2 late tries for them brought the score to 26-22, which frustrated the home side as they had done well to limit them for 75 minutes.

Final Score;
Burton A's 26-22 Birstall

Much to learn from this game, but a generally solid defensive effort for 75 minutes. The A's travel to Coalville next Saturday for what will be another tough test for this young side.