Burton Under 16`s hosted NUNEATON RFC in a friendly fixture.

SQUAD LIST

Benjamin, Cole, Dolman, Furner, Greenwood, Hulland, Marshall, Mckendrick, Pickett, Rippin, Shaw, Sturgess, Valentine, Welsford, Whitehouse, Williams.

STARTING LINE-UP

1. Loose Head Prop – Josh Shaw
2. Hooker – Lewis Sturgess
3. Tight Head Prop – Adam Dolman
4. 2nd Row – Curtis Marshall
5. 2nd Row – Ryan Welsford
6. Blind Side Flanker – Ben Hulland
7. Open Side Flanker – Lewis Sturgess
8. Number 8 – Ben Whitehouse
9. Scrum Half – Harry Pickett (Captain)
10. Fly Half – Tom Benjamin
11. Left Wing – Max Mckendrick
12. Inside Centre – Max Williams
13. Outside Centre – Sheridan Cole
14. Right Wing – Ross Rippin
15. Full Back – Sam Valentine

MATCH REPORT

Due to injuries & unavailabilities, Burton were able to muster a squad of 16 players for this friendly fixture. This hastely arranged fixture was against a strong Nuneaton side that on their 2 previous visits to Burton, had won both by 50 points.

As the rain, sleet, snow & biting wind blew, Burton elected to kick off. Nuneaton chose to run the ball down the right hand side before setting up the first ruck. Max Mckendrick, was straight into the thick of the action taking down their big centre who had a liking to Monsieur Bastardieu. With 2 mins on the clock the big centre was not to be denied when he broke through a couple of tackles & off loaded to his scrum half who ran in the first try.

Burton were momentarily stunned by the fast starting visitor’s. After starting again, the kick off went low. The conditions started to deteriorate & the ball got greasy. Burton launched their first attack via the ever-present Ben Whitehouse, using his towering frame to drive forward. Lewis Sturgess was again at the forefront of every breakdown, sniffing out trouble & taking it on. However, with another missed tackle in mid field, Nuneaton’s flying winger broke free & ran in a try from 30 metres out.

2 tries down, 15 mins played ground conditions worsening by the second, Burton were up against it. Their normal great hands & structured rugby was not suited to the boggy conditions. In a foray forward, Sam Valentine broke free down the right only for the referee to bring play back for an infringement by the visitor’s. A scrum was awarded where the tight five of Josh Shaw, Abe Furner, Adam Dolman, Curtis Marshall & Ryan Welsford had an almighty shove but Nuneaton had a large well drilled pack. After sliding backwards due to the slippery mud, Burton rued the missed opportunity that had just occurred.

Nuneaton were dealing with the conditions better & soon scored another try. Cold hands, half-hearted challenges & players playing in different positions all contributed to a lack lustre first half performance that ended Burton 0 – 15 Nuneaton.

BURTON 0
NUNEATON 15

The 2nd half begun with Josh Greenwood coming into the mix. Josh made an instant impact as his play was most suited to the tricky conditions. Burton started to retain the ball in the breakdown & kept players closer to ensure the slippery ball didn’t have to travel too far. Nuneaton were still playing some great rugby & another try by the visitor’s was scored when the pacey wingers slipped through outwide.

After 45 mins of play in terrible conditions, Max Williams made a break in mid-field but was tackled, Harry Pickett chipped it downfield when Tom Benjamin & Ben Hulland raced unto it. 5 metres out Hulland hacked it forward & Pickett raced through & touched down the loose ball to score a deserved try. Benjamin’s conversion from out wide was just short.

Nuneaton came back with 2 more quick tries as Burton celebrated getting on the score sheet. They also managed to convert their final try. However, it was Sheridan Cole who dived onto a loose ball that started the move for the last try of the day. Play was moved quickly downfield, slipping & sliding left & then right before Burton lined up 10 metres out. The greasy ball moved through the hands before Hulland drove for the line. He noff loaded & Benjamin was on hand to finish. Pickett’s conversion came just short.

Time then ran down with Ross Rippin doing his best to have an impact from the right wing but the appalling conditions were the worthy winners today. The final whistle blew with the score Burton 10 – 37 Nuneaton.

BURTON 10 (Tries – Pickett, Benjamin)
NUNEATON 37

A special mention goes to Lewis Mason & Taylor Dealtry , despite carrying injuries, still braved the weather to support their team mates. Well done fellas.

The Coaching Team would like to congratulate both sides for putting on a show in terrible conditions & the great spirit between the sides. That is what rugby is all about.