Burton U10’s travelled north with a squad of 23 players to visit local rivals Derby. Four matches were played against well organised hosts with single victory for Burton.

Burton lost the first 15-0 and fought back strongly in the second match but were narrowly defeated 10-15 after a fine debut try from Sam Tebbs and another from the speedy and elusive Anthony Dicker. Burton were unable to score in the third game and Derby took a comfortable win. The Crofters thoroughly deserved their 10-0 win in the fourth match with tries from Will Jay and Man of the Match Sam Lloyd, other newcomers Ross Ward, Oliver Phillips, Mark Woodward, and Sam Walker also played well.

The U10’s were in action at Coalville taking part in their Eight Counties Memorial Tournament.
Their inexperienced squad were drawn against strong opposition and came away with a creditable team performance despite only notching up one win and suffering two defeats.
Their campaign started with a fine win over Oadby Wyggs. Oadby shocked Burton with an early score but Player of the Day, Sam Tebbs scored Burton's first just before half time with one of his determined charges from good forward play. More good rugby from the forwards saw hooker Charlie Williams power his way through for his first try in Burton’s colours. The excellent Anthony Dicker completed the scoring with a fine run from a Burton scrum on full time.
The second game was a different affair with a strong Nuneaton side scoring two tries in each half with Burton being unable to reply.
In their final game Towcester were two tries up at half time. Burton were revived by the half time break and had the better of the second half. Speedy winger Dan Dolby reduced the advantage after a pick up and run through following some loose forward play. However despite further Burton pressure they were unable to draw level by the final whistle.

Burton U10’s were in action in the Prima Tigers Cup competition last Sunday with three matches played at Stafford RFC against Lichfield , Newcastle under Lyme and Stafford .

The Crofters made a slow start losing 0-15 to local rivals Lichfield in their opening match. This early defeat was quickly forgotten as Newcastle took the Burton backlash from a fine team performance. Tries from Mark McRobbie, Andrew Ward and newcomer Sam Tebbs gave a comfortable 15-0 lead at the break. A second try from the speedy Andrew Ward was followed by a Newcastle consolation try with Robbie Cresswell-Howe scoring to end the game 25-5.

Undefeated Stafford were Burton ’s last opponents with the Crofters needing a win to qualify for the knockout stages played as curtain raisers to Leicester Tigers 1 st team games at Welford Road . In a fiercely contested first half Stafford scored first to take a narrow lead. In the second half the Crofters rallied with Andy Ward racing over to level the scores. Burton continued to attack and were unlucky to have a try disallowed in the final minute by Man of the Match Will Jay following his determined run. Burton 5 Stafford 5

Pictures

Burton U10’s were hosts to Nottingham RFC with four matches enjoyed on the Ox Hay pitches.

Match 1: Burton 10 Nottingham 15

The Crofters U10 squad of 32 players achieved mixed results with the first match narrowly lost Burton 10-Nottingham 15. Anthony Dicker showing attacking skill and speed to score with Man of the Match Will Smith driving over the line for Burton’s second.

Match 2: Burton 10 Nottingham 0

Teamwork and dominant scrumagging set up tries for Sam Walker and Dan Dolby as the second match was convincingly won by Burton 10-0.

Match 3: Burton 10 Nottingham 10

Man of the Match Dan Dolby opened the scoring in the third match and Nottingham replied to level the scores at half time. The visitors took the lead after the interval and Burton rallied with strong forward play and a Richard Fearn try was disallowed for a hand off. Prop Ryan Dadley marked his return to the squad with well taken try and the match ended in a draw 10-10.

Match 3: Burton 0 Nottingham 15

In the fourth match Burton fielded separate squads in the first and second half and were unable to score as the visitors won 15-0.

Burton U10’s won both matches against local rivals Tamworth .

Match 1: Burton 15 Tamworth 5

Burton’s Man of the Match Will Smith proved unstoppable in the first half, scoring twice from powerful runs to give the Crofters a 10-0 lead at the interval.

Tamworth struck back with a try but a fine team performance and Mark McRobbie try gave Burton a well deserved 15-5 victory.

Match 2: Burton 10 Tamworth 5

Newcomers featured in the second match with Burton ’s centre Ross Ward crossing the line for his first club try. Solid tackling denied Tamworth a score until the second half. Replacement centre Morgan Clark showed good speed as he raced in for his first club try to give Burton a 10-5 win.

Burton U10’s played two matches against Nuneaton and in poor playing conditions lost the first 25-0 and drew the second 15-15.

Match 1: Nuneaton 25 Burton 0

The cold and wet conditions at Nuneaton did not suit Burton ’s expansive style of play and the hosts large team steamrollered in 5 unanswered tries to win the first contest.

Match 2: Nuneaton 15 Burton 15

Burton put up a spirited display in the second match but were always playing catch up. Man of the Match Sam Tebbs equalised for Burton after a fine run and a George Brood try before half time kept the Crofters in the hunt. In a close second half Nuneaton took the lead yet again and Burton piled on the pressure. From a tap penalty Burton ’s fly half Dan Dolby continued his try scoring form and raced over to level the scores.

Burton U10’s played two matches against visitors Melbourne and Aylestone St James and lost both.

Match 1: Burton 0 Melbourne 5

Melbourne took the lead in the first half and Burton introduced five substitutes at the interval.

Match 2: Burton 5  Aylestone St. James 20

Aylestone St James scored three in succession before Burton replied with a powerful and determined run by Ryan Dadley. Newcomers Will Prince, Ross Ward and Mark Woodward all featured well for the Crofters but Aylestone had the final word to seal a victory

Burton U10’s enjoyed close games against Syston and Derby with a narrow win and a draw.

Match 1: Burton 20  Syston 15

Burton opened the scoring against Syston as Anthony Dicker weaved his way over from a penalty near the Syston line. The visitors replied to level the scores at the interval and took the lead in a keenly contested second half.

Will Prince kept Burton in the game with his first try for the club and excellent passing gave Anthony Dicker the space to show his attacking speed as he raced over to give the Crofters the lead.

Syston rallied again to draw level but fine forward play by Joe Cullen and newcomer Harvey Kerr gave Burton’s powerful prop Will Smith the ball to charge over the line and secure victory

Match 2: Burton 10   Derby 10

Burton faced local rivals Derby who had earlier defeated Syston 25-0 and were put under early pressure with a Derby score. The Crofters battled hard putting the visitors under pressure in the scrums with fine performances from forwards Sam Lloyd and Mark McRobbie. Derby spilled the ball on their line and Sam Tebbs pounced to score and level the game at half time.

Burton ’s backs linked well with fly half Josh Peacock and centre Ben Grimsdell linking well with winger Andy Ward sprinting past the chasing Derby defenders to give the Crofter’s the lead. Derby refused to concede and scored an equaliser for the final score in a thrilling game

Burton U10’s squad played two matches at home against visitors Mansfield and won both.

Match 1: Burton 30   Mansfield  5

Burton took a comfortable lead in the first half with tries by speedy Will Jay and the elusive running and quick reactions of Anthony Dicker (2).

Mansfield rallied after the break to score but a brace of tries from Will Prince and score from Robbie Cresswell Howe gave Burton victory 30-5.

Match 2: Burton 35   Mansfield  5

The Crofter’s other squad went one better in the second match, showing too much pace & power for the visitors. Max Ordish opened the scoring with Luke Pelech adding the second from a weaving run. Powerful forward play helped Ordish drive over for another and Mansfield replied before the interval. Sam Tebbs added another and Man of the Match Luke Pelech scored a hat trick in the second half to give Burton victory 35-5

Burton U10’s recent fine run of form ended with two matches lost against local rivals Lichfield .

Match 1: Lichfield 15   Burton 0  

In the first match Burton started slowly and were unable to halt the rampaging Lichfield forwards despite brave tackling from Burton ’s Man of the Match Mark McRobbie. Three scores by the hosts were unanswered in the first half and despite a second half rally by Burton

Match 2: Lichfield 20   Burton 0

In the second match Lichfield scored twice in the first half as Burton were put under pressure and often did not use possession to make territorial gain. Despite fine tackling from Anthony Dicker and Robbie Cresswell Howe, Lichfield’s direct running provided two further scores in the second half

Burton U10’s visited Aylestone St James winning one and losing one.

Match 1: Aylestone 35   Burton 0  

Burton conceded 6 tries in the first half as they struggled to contain the Aylestone forwards. Determined defence by Dan Stone, Josh Peacock, Richard Young and Oliver Phillips limited the hosts to a single score in the second half as the Crofters were defeated 35-0.

Match 2: Aylestone 10    Burton 15

Burton started well in the second match with scrum half Andy Ward racing in to score first, followed by a charge to the line by Sam Tebbs, Aylestone replied to give Burton a narrow 10-5 lead at the interval.

Aylestone piled on the pressure and levelled the scores after the break. The Crofters defended well and a fine team performance was rewarded when Man of the Match Anthony Dicker showed his attacking skills to score the winner.

Burton U10’s were hosts to local rivals Derby for two floodlight matches played at Peel Croft on Wednesday 23 rd March. Honours were even as Burton and Derby won one apiece.

The fixture was the fourth encounter between the two large squads this season and often the matches have produced fine team performances. At the end of January the results were Burton 5 Derby 5 and Burton 35 Derby 20.

With both matches kicking off at the same time, it soon became apparent that Burton A had to play at their best to compete with a well organised Derby Tigers team whilst Burton B needed to battle to contain a lively Derby Stags team.

Match 1: Burton 10    Derby  5  

Derby Tigers soon showed why they had recently returned as joint winners of the York Festival as they opened the scoring in the first half with a well worked try. The Crofters tackled well to contain the visitors with the front row of Max Ordish, Oliver Phillips and Will Smith providing a solid platform in the lineout and scrum. After the interval Burton rallied to win more possession and centre Andy Ward jinked over to end a flowing move and level the score. A period of sustained attacking by Burton ended when centre Sam Tebbs showed power and determination to score the winner as Burton recorded a narrow 10-5 victory.

Match 2: Burton 10  Derby  40

Burton B soon found themselves behind as Derby Stags scored four in the first half with a Mark McRobbie try Burton ’s only reply. Backs Dan Stone, George Brood, Jacob and Liam Grimsdell chased and tackled well but the visitors attacked with pace and supported the ball carriers.

After the break Derby continued to run in four more tries as forwards Jon Pinchbeck, Mark Woodward, Andy Wood, and Stephen Carroll battled to contain their counterparts. Fly half Joe Cullen charged to the line to give Burton a consolation try as the hosts were defeated 40-10.

Burton U10’s enjoyed matches against Wetherby and York and the small squad battled hard to contain the Yorkshire hosts.

Against Wetherby, the Crofters scored a Will Jay consolation try as the hosts won 20-5. Dan Stringer on loan from the U11’s was inspirational and scrum half George Brood made several darting runs after recovering from ferocious Wetherby rucking.

The second match was a closer affair with centre Oliver Phillips scoring to keep the Crofters in touch and prop Mark Woodward going over after a powerful run to level the scores. Burton were unable to sustain the pressure and Wetherby scored twice to win 20-10.

The following day Burton started slowly and York took a 20-0 lead in the first half. A fine run almost the length of the pitch from fly half Will Jay was Burton ’s only score in the second period.

Forwards Stephen Carroll and Jon Pinchbeck competed well with Matt Jones on loan from the U11’s. The second match saw Richard Young attacking with determination and Dan Stone displaying his elusive running however the Crofters were defeated 25-0.

Burton U10’s entered two teams in the Ilkeston RFC inaugural Mini’s festival. Burton A battled bravely and despite fine team performance in three matches, lost to Loughborough 15-0, West Bridgford 10-0 and Lincoln 20-0.

Burton B drew 0-0 in their opening game with Grimsby , scores came from Anthony Dicker, finishing a fine break by fly-half Ben Grimsdell and a determined run by Max Ordish gave the Crofters victory 10-0 against Nottingham . Hosts Ilkeston proved difficult opposition and managed to scramble a try and narrowly beat Burton 5-0. As Runners Up in the group, Burton B faced a skilful Paviors team and were defeated by a single score 5-0.

 Burton U10’s strength in depth was acknowledged with an invitation to enter two teams in the Staffordshire U10’s festival hosted by Stafford RFC.

Burton A started well with a convincing 20-0 win over Willenhall. Andy Ward opened the scoring after good support of a break by fellow winger Will Jay. Hooker Oliver Phillips crashed following a determined drive to the line by prop Will Smith. After the interval fly half Ben Grimsdell scored from a flowing attack and centre Same Tebbs raced over to secure victory.

Lichfield proved stern opposition in the next match with Sam Tebbs unlucky not to score after crossing the line in a first half dominated by the Crofters. Lichfield rallied after the interval and captain Max Ordish lead Burton ’s defence with Andy Ward making a try saving tackle to end the game in a draw 0-0.

Stoke’s large forwards exerted sustained pressure in the third match and scored two unanswered tries as Burton battled bravely to gain territory in possession. Burton 0 Stoke 10

Burton B opened with a difficult match in against Walsall allowing them too much space in attack and were punished for defensive lapses despite good work by Dan Stone, Mark Woodward and Mark McRobbie.

Tamworth opened the scoring in the next match and Burton levelled after centre Josh Peacock snapped up a loose ball and beat two defenders to score. Tamworth took the lead and Mark McRobbie scored twice to edge the Crofters ahead. A narrow victory looked likely but Tamworth equalised with the last play to draw the match Burton 15 Tamworth 15.

Hosts Stafford were in form as they scored four unanswered tries in the first half and scored again after the interval. Burton began to exert pressure through Richard Young, Stephen Carroll and Jon Pinchbeck. From an attacking scrum Josh Peacock darted over from short range to give the Crofters a consolation try Burton 5 Stafford 25.

Burton U10’s entered two teams in the Stoke festival.

Burton A lost the opening match against Mold 5-0 with a disallowed Will Jay try, and narrowly lost to Stoke and Sandbach. Burton B also lost narrowly to Stoke and Sandbach with a draw against Derby 5-5 thanks to a well taken try by Man of the Match Josh Peacock..