Burton RFC U14s 27 v Burntwood RFC U14s 5
Trys:
Hugo McGhee
Levi Davis 3
Joe Epicheff
Cons:
Callum Brodrick

What a great start to our season, a floodlit fixture on a Friday night, on The Croft home of Burton Rugby, playing to a packed crowd eager to see some quality U14’s rugby, and they weren’t ton be disappointed !
A squad of 26 registered players turned up for our first friendly game against a strong Burntwood RFC U14’s side.
As the opposition arrived we knew we were going to be in for a tough time as we saw the saw of them.
It was agreed that three halves of 20 minutes would be the order of the evening so as to give all players , on both sides as much match time as possible,

The game started and everyone seemed a little on edge for the first few minutes until the Crofters settled into their game of clean ball from the forwards to serve a well disciplined backline. A well worked phase of play enabling Hugo to power over the line and touch down our first try of the day.

Our pre-season Harper Adams sessions paid back in full as our forwards, despite competing against much larger players, kept the ball alive and well away from the Burntwood shirts giving our backs the chance to prove all that ‘passing practice’ is paying off. Great lines of running and great ball handling under pressure created overlaps and opportunities for Levi Davis to run in a hat-trick of tries. One under the posts that was neatly converted by Callum.
The Burntwood boys never gave in and constantly competed for every ball testing our resolve and strength on the back foot. several times the Crofters had to defend their own try line, but finally the visitors managed to grab a try back.

By the third half we were not at full strength and many new & developing players , were digging deep against a very tough and determined opposition. A special mention must go to Jack Markham for pulling on a Burton shirt for his first game, playing a cracking game as second row, not one of the easiest places to start on the coal face, also to Jake Foley & Chris Moxon who both did a sterling job along with all the other players, trying new positions and different moves.

As the minutes ticked by a nicely worked backs move, and a lovely pass out the back of Joe Gorman’s hand put Joe Epicheff in a great position to touch down over the oppositions line, to rapturous applause!

At the final whistle he score was a resounding 27-5 to us. a great start to a very tough season. Many thanks to a very worthy opposition, who look set to make their mark in the other Staffs Cup pool to ourselves, and we wish them well.

Finally a MASSIVE thanks to the Goring Catering Division, for running such a great BBQ for all and sundry, for feeding both opposing teams and sponsoring the food for our own boys, all ably assisted by ‘technical bap slicer’ Lela Causer and ‘queen of the onions’ Jane Hall. Your efforts are appreciated by all and all profits benefit our age group and the things we do. Well done to Brud for running the line as well……. roll on Nuneaton!