Burton under 17s v Nuneaton Old Edwardians

20th February 2011 Burton 52 : Nuneaton OE 7

Burton travelled to Nuneaton in this friendly fixture, following a tight home match between these teams a few weeks ago. Heavy rain in previous days had the left the pitch with standing water. Burton commenced the match with gusto, taking on board the coach’s request for expansive rugby. An early run from fullback Adam Cooke might have produced an early try as the ball reached Nicholls on the left-wing, but he was forced into touch prior to grounding. However, at the following scrum Weedon at No 8 picked up and went over, the try well converted by Ashley Allum as the scoring was opened.

The Nuneaton forwards drove back, disrupted by solid tackling from the forwards including Cuffley and Chesterman. Adam Cooke led the counter with good work from the forwards earning the penalty, successfully kicked by Allum. The restart was well taken by Ross Burrows-Flower who offloaded to Sam Jordan-Turner and in turn to Chesterman. A Nuneaton line-out was pinched and the ball was spun left with a long looping pass to Harry Parker and in turn to Nicholls, who this time scored in the corner.

With mobility, deft handling and offloads, the forwards were beginning to sap the strength and create gaps in the home sides defence. Benifitting from the forwards solid platform, Jordan-Turner shipped the ball to Parker who ran the length of the pitch to score the fourth try. The visitors line-out was looking strong with Robert Ramsdall lifted high and successfully securing the ball. Following a further try by Parker, half time came with Burton winning 25:0.

In the second-half Nuneaton came back with an early forward try, although Burton replied with a try from Louis Dewsbury. Soon after they found themselves on their try line, but good tackling from the front row held back Nuneaton. On the counter-attack, Alistair Weedon bustled through to score his second try, and Parker another to complete his hat trick. By this time Weedon had become sufficiently assured of the performance to debate with his father the relevance of some of his touchline advice.

Jordan-Turner was thwarted only by the ball refusing to leave the water as he attempted to hack it on toward the Nuneaton line. In the final minutes, Burton backs Adam Cooke at fullback and Alex Cook on the wing both showed their pace with fine sprints with ball in hand, up the hill through mud and water and each doing everything but score a try. Nevertheless, Jordan-Turner and Whitfield were able to capitalise on their efforts with a try apiece to end this fine team performance with a 52 – 7 win.

20.02.2011