Unlucky in the Semi Finals

The Plate Teams. ---- The Burton Bucks

Burton started their campaign in the plate competition with a hard earned draw against Tamworth. After end to end tries in the first half, both teams' defences improved in the second half to leave the final score at 5-5. Their second game against Stoke produced a real nail biter, with the sides never moving one try ahead of the other. This game saw the Burton lads really pulling together as a team and working hard for each other, with the last play of the game producing a great team try for Burton to draw the game level at 8-8. Those 2 results were enough to see Burton through to the semi-final as winners of their group where they faced the home side from Lichfield. The pace of the semi-final was noticeably faster than the pool games and everyone in the side played their part. When the referee called last play, the scores were level at 6-6 with possession going to Lichfield. Despite great defence, Lichfield were able to cross the line with their final possession to win the game 7-6, but this was a game that the whole team from Burton can be proud of.

The Cup Team. ---- The Burton Rascals

Burton Rascals 15-20 Lichfield

Burton started their festival campaign with high hopes, showing much improved support play by all players hopes were high, Lichfield registered the first score and then through some strict reffing Burton were even further behind. Ben Blackham finally scoring for Burton, Thomas Harrison then equalled the scores. The second half then saw Lichfield allowed to take the lead again. Dominic Sturman then not giving a chance to be ajudged to throw a forward pass sliced through the defence to score. With the clock running out the 3 second rule was thrown out the window and Lichfield snatched a late winner.

Try scorers- Ben Blackham, Thomas Harrison and Dominic Sturman.

Burton Rascals 25- 20 Wolverhampton

Burton came out for there second match with there tempers boilking over, and luckily they channelled their aggression through their rugby, the defence, although still a little shaky, seemed tighter, and their runs became straighter and showed more purpose. With the ball being thrown around, the Crofters couldn't break the opposition, untill Marcus Tolley took the bull by the horns and charged through to score. With the boys now being allowed to play rugby it wasn't long before they broke through again, Jude Richards coming close, but with all the boys now supporting properly, it went through 4 pairs of hands before Edgar Brown scored. Jude Richards then recieved a pass off Blackham and scored. The next 2 tries went to Wolves, but then through even more good teamwork Harrison and Tolley scored for Burton.

Try scorers- Marcus Tolley(2), Edgar Brown, Jude Richrds and Thomas Harrison.

Burton Rascals 20-10 Stafford

The final league game saw both teams allowed to play a hard physical game. With the likes Sturman, Brown and Spendlove licking their lips at toughness of the game, it wasn't long before Spendlove scored. Ben Mumford, showing that light feet always defeats power, started a move in midfield and was on hand to finish it. Stafford also had a fast attack, and it is only due to the improved defence that they were only allowed to break the white wash twice. Thomas Harrison then tensed his muscles, gritted his teeth and powered through the defence to score. Tolley then took over proceedings, and with the ball being passed around and the handling errors reduced, proceeded to score the final 2 trys.

Try scorers Charlie Spendlove, Ben Mumford and Marcus Tolley(2).

SEMI FINAL
Burton Rascals 15-25 Barton

Burton again lapsed into the lathargic tagging match, and allowed Barton an early score. There attack, however, was as impressive as normal, and altough they came up against a good defence, showed good hands to allow Spendlove a try. Barton then pulled 2 in front. Burtons defence then grew in confidence and Mumford intercepted a pass on his own try line and raced the length of the pitch to score, only to be pulled back for having his little toe in touch. Then on the stroke of half time Tolley had a try dissallowed, and after a couple of minutes the ref decided he was in touch. The second half was more of the same, and despite Burtons best efforts they just couldn't pull level, Thomas Harrison scoring for Burton and then Dominic Sturman getting a try. A further attack saw some excellent defence by Burton, untill a try was scored after Marcus Tolley was taken out by a forearm smash that wouldn't be out of place in the WWF. This saw the game fizzle out to the end.

Try scorers- Charlie Spendlove, Thomas Harrison and Dominic Sturman.

A great performance by the youngsters that saw them show some true passion for the shirts they were wearing.