Burton RFC Under 12s Match Report

Lichfield RFC V Burton RFC

This Halloween Day fixture gave Burton an opportunity to exorcise the gremlins that possessed their festival performance the previous week, i.e. not being switched on and missed tackles. The series consisted of three 20-minute games.

Game 1: Lichfield 21 Burton 0

Lichfield started the game full of confidence following their victory last week and Burton once more seemed under the spell of early tiredness, as the Lichfield forwards pushed Burton back. Once more they threatened to score early on as Burton struggled to keep them out. A great last gasp tackle by Jack W halted a certain try on the right, as did the combined efforts of Harry G and Calum L to push the Lichfield winger in to touch as he attempted to ground the ball for the opening try. Burton weathered the earl force of Lichfield and began to get some ball. However, a lost scrum and from broken play the Litchfield forwards scored their well-deserved try. Following this try Burton faced the monstrous task of keeping the Lichfield pack at bay and from broken play Lichfield scored a further two converted tries. Burton seemed bewitched and sought sanctuary via the post game debrief from the coaches.

Game 2: Litchfield 7 Burton 28

Tries Jacob Abraham 2, Daniel Grimsdell, Jamie Dutton
Conversions: Jamie Dutton 4

The first game witnessed Burton as Dr Jekyll; this match was very much the Mr. Hyde show. Burton had arisen and the coaches had conjured up the ingredients required to overcome the dark shadows of the first match. Burton started on fire and began to win ball from ruck and scrum. Great awareness and hands by Cameron S fed the ball to Charlie Q who moved the ball to Daniel G who finished the move by driving through the bewitched Lichfield line to score. Jamie D converted, 7 – 0 Burton. Things got even better when Alex D, Charlie N and Reece T drove the Lichfield scrum backwards for Jacob A to collect ball, run and dummy past the Lichfield line to score the second. Minutes later déjà vu, another won scrum, this time against the head, Edward B and William H supported Jacob A, as he broke through for the third. Litchfield scored a quick reply to remind Burton that they were still capable of scoring and concentration was required. Lichfield threatened again and Sam (killer) H put in the tackle to halt them. From the pursuing maul Calum L stripped the ball of the Lichfield winger and moved the ball swiftly to Daniel G who made ground supported by Harry G and Charlie Q. The momentum picked up and Jamie D finished the move of the series in the corner. Jamie D converted once more to seal a much-improved performance.

Game 3: Lichfield 14 Burton 7

Tries: Daniel Grimsdell
Conversion: Jamie Dutton

Burton played, as we know they can, tackled hard and moved the ball when able. A great tackle by Josh supported and quick ball via Jacob B, saw a determined run through the Lichfield line by Charlie Q, who unloaded for Daniel G to score a very good opening try. Lichfield came back strong and tackle after bruising tackle began to take its toll. Alex D who mixed it with the big Litchfield fronts retired to the ‘blood bin’ for the second and last time. Burton lost ball in the middle from their own scrum and despite the efforts of Jack W and Charlie N were able to draw level. The final four minutes lasted an eternity, as Burton stood strong to keep Lichfield out. Burton also threatened to break courtesy of Daniel G and Harry G, however, Lichfield also defended with strong tackling. Then Lichfield broke through in the final seconds and scored what looked like an impossible try. The whistle blew and the Lichfield coaches went batty.

Footnote: Despite the disappointment of losing the series at the ’Death’, this was by no means a horror show. Blood and tears were spilled for the cause and Burton showed they could tackle. The transformation from the first game was frightening as the coaches conjured up a spirited revenge. ‘Witch’ way back to Burton asked scary via the bar replied all.