Burton Under 16`s played LICHFIELD RFC in the Staffordshire Plate Final over at Stafford RFC

SQUAD LIST

Benjamin, Bowles, Cole, Dealtry, Dingley, Dolman, Finney, Furner, Greenwood, Hulland, Marshall, Mason, Mckendrick, Melsome, Mycock, Pickett, Roden, Sharpe, Shaw, Sturgess, Valentine, Welsford, Whitehouse, Williams.

STARTING LINE-UP

1. Loose Head Prop – Josh Shaw
2. Hooker – Max Mckendrick
3. Tight Head Prop – Brad Melsome
4. 2nd Row – Taylor Dealtry
5. 2nd Row – Ben Hulland
6. Blind Side Flanker – Lewis Sturgess
7. Open Side Flanker – Max Williams
8. Number 8 – Ben Whitehouse
9. Scrum Half – Alex Finney
10. Fly Half – Tom Benjamin
11. Left Wing – Sheridan Cole
12. Inside Centre – Sam Valentine
13. Outside Centre – Harry Pickett (Captain)
14. Right Wing – Taylor Dingley
15. Full Back – Lewis Mason

MATCH REPORT

After a long stop-start weather affected season that rose to the dizzy heights of a fantastic semi-final victory on The Croft last week . Burton were well aware of last season’s single point loss in the final & with inspirational words of encouragement from Head Coach Rich Wilton, the players took to the pitch

Burton started proceedings by kicking off into the blistery wind. Lichfield started the game really strongly moving the ball well & being aggressive around the breakdown. Burton were constantly on the back foot with frustration leading to lots of penalties. This indiscipline was costing Burton territory as the game was played in their half. Scambling defence was the key & it was enough to keep Lichfield at bay.

On 12 mins, against the run of play, Lichfield attacked down the left & lost the ball in a tackle whilst within Burton’s 22. Taylor Dingley hacked the ball forward, ran unto it, picked it up & went on a jinking 70 metre solo run. A drop of the shoulder got the full back wrong footed & just as he dived to touch down a wonder try, the full back came back & made a last ditch tackle to knock the ball forward.

Lichfield went straight down field, again attacked down the left & with another infringement, swung the ball to the right & dived over to take a deserved lead. The conversion from outwide was just short. Burton 0 – 5 Lichfield.

Burton dusted themselves down, shock their heads & rolled up their sleeves. The kick off landing mm’s infield before going into touch. From the lineout, Josh Shaw stole the ball, Adam Dolman & Josh Greenwood managed to secure before Alex Finney got his fellow tight five members of Taylor Dealtry & Ben Hulland drove on the next phase. Continuity was coming. On 21 mins, Harry Pickett had a break down the left & drew the man & off loaded to Max Williams who had a 2 on 1 overlap. Williams again drew the man & with a gap as big as The River Trent opening up threw a pass & the blistery wind took it straight out as Sheridan Cole was poised for free run. From the resulting lineout, Tom Benjamin, got his hands on ball in midfield, with calls of I’m Star, in his ears, threw a dummy, broke the line & jinked his way over the line to score another magnificent solo try. With the scores level, Sam Valentine stepped up & slotted the conversion straight through the posts to give Burton the lead. Burton 7 – 5 Lichfield.

Lichfield were straight back down field with their kicking game working well. They hadn’t governed for Lewis Mason whom was assured in mopping up each & every ball that came over to ensure that Burton maintained their lead. The Crofter’s forwards were now starting to put some phases together & play structured rugby. Max Mckendrick was instrumental in keeping his forwards ticking over & moving in the right direction. This ensured that when the half time whistle blew, Burton had their noses in front.
BURTON 7 (Try – Benjamin, Con - Valentine)
LICHFIELD 5

At half time, more positive words of encouragement were given by The Coaching Team. As Lichfield lined-up ready, Burton’s Players starting chanting BURTON, BURTON, BURTON, BURTON!

The 2nd half begun with Burton playing with the wind. Joe Mycock came into the fray & he created his own whirl-wind by continually driving forward, hitting every ruck, ripping every ball & making a nuisance of himself at every opportunity. Mycock’s constant disruption at the breakdown ensured Lichfield were always on the back foot. That gave The Crofter’s a foot hold to drive them forward.

On 38 mins, an infringement by a frustrated Lichfield No:8 led to a penalty midway in the Lichfield half. Valentine stepped up but the wind pulled the tricky kick slightly left. However, Burton were not to be denied on 41 mins when Benjamin kicked the ball downfield. From the lineout out, Lichfield failed to clear their lines & Lewis Sturgess was on hand to pick up the loose ball, hand off at least 3 players before diving over for s deserved try. Valentine converted his kick to extend the lead to Burton 14 – 5 Lichfield.

Burton were now very much on top with opportunities to attack down both flanks at will. Benjamin was again at the centre of all positive play linking up well with his backline, releasing Cole & Dingley who both made telling contributions. It was the flamboyant Fly Half who again took play to within the 22 with a great passing move with Williams before an inside pass to Ben Whitehouse who dived over on 55mins. Valentine made it 3 out of 3 conversions to extend the lead to Burton 21 – 5 Lichfield.

Lichfield were still applying pressure but Mason was assured under the high ball & fleet of foot ensured no further scores were conceded. Burton rung the changes with Abe Furner, Curtis Marshall, Danny Bowles & the returning George Roden all coming into the action. With fresh assured legs on the field the extra power & pace saw Lichfield concede another infringement & Valentine easily slotted the penalty to leave the final score Burton 24 – 5 Lichfield.
BURTON 24 (Tries – Benjamin, Sturgess, Whitehouse, Con – Valentine 3, Pen - Valentine)
LICHFIELD 5 (FT)
A special mention goes to the 2 Ryan’s Sharpe & Welsford whom both played their part in supporting their team mates & realising that county rules meant that their presence could only be felt from the sidelines. You were winners too!

As the season draws to a close, The Coaching Team would like to thank all parents for their support. In winning this Staffordshire County Final, has laid to rest many years of coming runner’s up & narrowly missing out on being crowned winners. The jubilant scenes witnessed at full time were worth the wait. Well done guys!

And finally…..The Age Group would like to say a special thank you to Matilda & Georgia Wilton for kindly loaning Rich, Our Head Coach, for doing such a comprehensive job with the players & master-minding the route to becoming Staffordshire County Winners