| Tour | South Wales |
| 18/09/04 | Nuneaton (h) |
| 10/10/04 | Belgrave(a) |
| 17/10/04 | Bloxwich (a) |
| 31/10/04 | Bham/Solihull(a) |
| 21/11/04 | Lichfield (h) |
| 28/11/04 | Belgrave (h) |
| 12/12/04 | Silhillians (a) |
| 19/12/04 | Mkt Bosw'th (h) |
| 02/01/05 | Stoke (h) |
| 16/01/05 | Stafford (h) |
| 23/01/05 | Yardley (a) |
| 06/02/05 | Walsall (h) |
| 27/02/05 | Coalville (h) |
| 06/03/05 | Newcastle (c) |
| Tour | Scotland |
| 03/04/05 | Lutterworth (h) |
| 17/04/05 | Aylestone (h) |
| 23/04/05 | Wetherby (h) |
| 24/04/05 | Tournament |
Burton U15 entertained a strong Nuneaton side for their first game of the season. Playing against a strong wind the visitors pressurised Burton from the outset. Scores came to Nuneaton from slick back play and their forwards showed great power. In the second half the Burton pack took the game to their opponents and they camped in Nuneaton's half for long periods. Midway through the half Benjamin was obstructed chasing his own fly hack and from the resulting penalty Brooks opened the scoring for Burton. Nuneaton broke out for two late tries to secure a 41-5 win.
South
Wales Tour |
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| Pen y Craig 5 | v |
Burton 5 |
| Nelson 19 | v |
Burton 0 |
Select Date of Match |
18th
September 2004 |
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| Burton 5 | v |
Nuneaton 41 |
Burton U15 went on an early season tour to South Wales. The first game against Pen Y Craig was a bruising encounter. Burton's forwards were a match for their opponents and from good possession Brooks scored a stunning try from Centre. The Welsh side were clearly shocked and responded with a mighty effort. Burton's defence held out until with two minutes left Pen Y Craig rescued a 5-5 draw. In the second game home side Nelson pressured Burton early on and Smith's brilliant tackle saved a certain try. The game swung from end to end with the home side eventually going ahead 7-0. Burton ended the half unlucky not to score from some sustained quality attacking. Nelson crucially scored the next try, with brilliance from their No. 13. Burton battled away winning plenty of possession but being unable to unlock the defence. Nelson sealed a 19-0 win showing real class, however Burton played with outstanding commitment which will serve them well in the coming weeks.
Travelling to Leicester Belgrave, Burton U15 showed a marked improvement in their discipline from their defeat the previous week to Derby. A tremendous performance from the Forwards provided a platform throughout the game. Incisive Centre play from Tattersall and Tuckwell to a try for Taylor in support and a conversion to Batram. From a Free Kick Hornby was unstoppable. Fifteen Man rugby followed with tries coming for Cartwright and O'Brien. The home side could only reply with a single try to make it 26-5 at Half Time. Belgrave enjoyed good territory, using the wind after the break and were rewarded with two unconverted tries. The physical intensity of the game increased and Burton came through with a superb response in darting finish from Benjamin and another bulldozing try from Hornby. An impressive 36-15 win for Burton.
10th
October 2004 |
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| Belgrave 15 | v |
Burton 36 |
In
defence of the Staffordshire Cup , Burton U15 travelled to Bloxwich.
Against the wind in the first half,
After
the break
17th
October 2004 |
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| Bloxwich 0 | v |
Burton 61 |
21st
November 2004 (Staffs County Cup) |
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| Burton 20 | v |
Lichfield 7 |
Burton U15 travelled to Birmingham Solihull and produced a solid performance.
Giving away too many penalties through their enthusiasm Burton failed to make full use of the possession and territory gained by their forwards. No. 8 Taylor's phenomenal power was too much for the spirited defence, and brought him 2 first half tries. The ever alert flanker Cross capitalised on some excellent rucking from Burton with a close range try.
In the second half Burton used the width to better effect. Minns scored first on the Right Wing following some slick interplay in midfield. Sharing the second half on the left wing, new recruits Matthew Roe and Joe Knott each scored their first tries for the club. Burton's set-pieces were outstanding throughout the game and it was no surprise late in the game when Taylor picked up a scrum and completed his hat-trick. Two conversions from George Wright gave a final score of 39-0 in Burton's favour.
31st October 2004 |
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| Bham Solihull 0 | v |
Burton 39 |
Burton v Lichfield U15s County Cup Quarter-Final produced the anticipated classic struggle. Historically Lichfield have held the upper-hand, however Burton are Cup holders.
Burton kicked off, Cartwright charged down the clearance, fly-hacked and O’Brien dropped on the ball to open the scoring. Burton kept momentum and from broken play Smith picked up the ball, jinked past two defenders before releasing Brooks who scorched in from the 22.
Lichfield fought back with some continued pressure and scored from a 5 meter penalty, the conversion making it 10-7 at half time.
The second half saw both sides unable to capitalise on spells deep in the opponent’s halves, due to the outstanding tackling of both sides. Burton’s talisman Taylor showed outstanding vision with a crosskick from which Benjamin scored.
Burton played superbly to a man, successfully repelled Lichfield’s last valiant attacking efforts. The Cup holders secured a semi-final berth with typical surging interplay from their forwards, Benjamin crossing the line to make it Burton 20 Lichfield 7.
28th November 2004 |
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| Burton 29 | v |
Belgrave Leic. 15 |
Leicester Belgrave made a good start against Burton U15 taking an early 10-0 lead. Burton had some promising phases of play which resulted in a penalty, from which Hornby scored a trademark try. Bartram converted to make the gap three points, however Belgrave scored a further five before half time.
Smith from Fly Half and Brooks at Centre dominated the second half. Smith's kick was followed up by Mins for a try on the right wing. Brooks out-stripped the defnce on the left before converting. Belgrave continued to battle but Burton's defence held strong. Brooks and then Smith added the final tries to complete a mighty comeback for Burton. Final score 29-15.
12th December 2004 |
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| Silhillians 29 | v |
Burton 20 |
A new fixture with Old Silhillians produced a thrilling game of U15 Rugby.
Burton with the wind at their backs in the first half scored first with a powerful burst through the Centres by Tattersall. Silhillians were next on the scoresheet making it 5-5. Burton gave away far too many penalties allowing the home side to move upfield, but it was they who kept producing the scoring chances. Benjamin burst through from half way for a superb try, which was followed by a bizarre period of play. Burton saw chances go amiss, decisions go cruelly against them and their opponents score a converted try.
Silhillians started ominously well after the break opening up a nine point lead. Burton rallied and from some concerted pressure Benjamin scored his second. Silhillians again managed two scores, but Burton refused to lie down. Beddard intelligently took a quick penalty and went over in the corner from the twenty two making it 20-29. Right until the final whistle the commitment and skill of both sides was first rate, and the fixture will be a tasty prospect in the years to come.
19th December 2004 |
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| Burton 17 | v |
Mrkt Bosworth 35 |
A strong Market Bosworth U15 side visited Burton. The home side made a great start to the game and applied prolonged pressure. After 10 minutes a well structured sequence of play ended with a try for left wing Proctor. Bosworth responded quickly, and then stayed in Burton's half for a long period. A blistering run from Brooks secured a try and a conversion for Cross. Bosworth closed the gap to two points before half time and were then first to score after the break. Burton's forwards were a match for Bosworth and they deserved a try from a driving maul, touched down by Cross. Bosworths backs always looked dangerous and as the game progressed they opened up a lead. Burton battled well but did not score again, leaving the final score 17-35.
2nd January 2005 |
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| Burton 17 | v |
Stoke 13 |
Stoke U15 came to Burton and produced a first half of such intense pressure that the home side never got into their stride. Burton looked like a side who had enjoyed the Christmas break a little too much. The half time score of 13-0 to Stoke was just reward for their efforts.
Burton needed a strong start after the break. Good link-up play from Aspinall & Tuckwell gave Brooks the space to show his tremendous pace and running skills from half way to open Burton's account. Burton were lifted by the score and began to believe they could get even closer to Stoke.
A great move started by the forwards on the right wing, moved the ball to Left Wing Roe, who broke through Stoke's defence for a fantastic try, converted by Cross. Both sides produced mighty efforts as Burton looked to go ahead. From a Scrum in the Stoke 22, Taylor picked up from No. 8 and powered down the blind side for a try. Stoke came close to pinching the game close to full time only for Tuckwell to produce a text book tackle. The game ended 17-13 to Burton.
16th January 2005 |
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| Burton 27 | v |
Stafford 12 |
Burton U15 produced a magnificent display of scrummaging against Stafford. It was from this platform that Eaton opened the scoring, barging over from a No. 8 Pick-up. Burton's backs were also looking dangerous. From a glorious starting on half way, Brooks was able to round the left wing defence for a try. Fellow Centre Tattersall then scythed through the defence giving Cross the opportunity for a conversion.
In the second half Stafford produced an excellent display and were first to score. Burton then enjoyed a good spell and there power in the back row brought tries for Benjamin and Taylor. A late try for Stafford made the final score 27-12 to Bu
23rd January 2005 |
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| Yardley 12 | v |
Burton 56 |
Burton U15 travelled to Yardley and quickly made an impression on the hosts with tries from wingers O'Brien and Tuckwell.
In a mature performance Burton varied the use of their forward power and the pace of their backs. From forward driving came tries for Taylor and Hornby. Sweeping moves brought scores for Tattersall, Benjamin and Brooks. The half time score was 39-5 including 2 Bartram conversions.
Yardley scored an impressive try shortly after the break, before Burton got back into the groove with tries from Benjamin and Atkinson. Aspinall's excellent conversion hoisted the fifty points which Minns added to with the final try of the game making it a 56-12 victory for Burton.
6th February 2005 |
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| Burton 58 | v |
Walsall 14 |
In a home semi-final against Walsall, the Burton U15 front five provided a torrent of quality possession allowing their powerful back row to wreak havoc, Benjamin cashing in with two first half tries.
Slick distribution from the Burton half backs, allowed the Burton three-quarters opportunity to use their pace, Brooks scoring twice and O'Brien. Walsall bravely kept out a massive forward onslaught late in the half, and an interception in the centre and sixty meter sprint brought them a deserved try.
Brooks completed his hat-trick and Grist burst in from Full Back to re-establish control for Burton. Taylor and Tattersall added further scores before a replica interception try from Walsall.
A penalty try to Burton sealed a 58-14 win and a place in the final. Walsall attacked bravely to the end, however great defensive work from Burton held them out.
27th February 2005 |
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| Burton 20 | v |
Coalville 24 |
Burton started at a tremendous pace and with some sweeping moves against Coalville U15 were soon on the scoresheet through a try from Beddard. A penalty from the visitors closed the gap to two points.
Burton produced some excellent work resulting in a try on the right wing for Bartram. Further penalties conceded made Burton's job harder than necessary, before a pair of tries for Taylor made it 20-3 at half time.
A wholesale substitution saw Burton with a relatively inexperienced side in the second half. Coalville enjoyed more possession and were able to score twice to set up an exciting last ten minutes. Burton defended with great heart and when it looked as if they would hang on, Coalville snapped up try at the base of ruck, which their kicker skilfully converted to leave the final score 20-24.
6th March 2005 (Staffs Cup final) |
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| Burton 5 | v |
Newcastle 20 |
Burton and Newcastle met in perfect conditions for the U15 Staffs Cup Final.
In the early stages neither side really produced any fluent rugby and it was fifteen minutes before the first score. Burton conceded a penalty within Marsh's range and fell behind. Burton's attempts to open out the game were met by committed blanket defence and some outstanding turnover work by Newcastle. Burton scrummaged brilliantly however Newcastle drives from lineouts gained considerable ground and were draining for Burton.
A second penalty eased Newcastle into a 6-0 half time lead. Burton recognised the importance of the next score, only for Newcastle to produce their most expansive play of the game resulting in a try for left wing Rowley. With Burton requiring at least two scores their anxiety grew and they suffered some bad luck, however the penalties kept coming.
Two more excellent kicks from Marsh opened the lead to 17 points. Burton had lifted the cup the previous season and their pride and skill showed as they chased the game, Newcastle continuing to defend superbly. Spuddy Taylor made Burton's only score with a powerful blind-side burst, however it was Marsh with a fifth penalty who closed out the game for worthy winners Newcastle.
Easter 2005 Tour |
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| Dalziel 5 | v |
Burton 26 |
| Strathaven 12 | v |
Burton 49 |
| Uddingston 5 | v |
Burton 39 |
Burton U15 recorded three fine wins on their tour to Scotland and were entertained superbly by their hosts. Faced with the challenge of lifting in the lineout for the first time, Burton dominated this facet of play in every game.
Match 1: Dalziel 5 Burton 26
Under floodlights at Dalziel RFC, the tourists got into their stride with first half scores from Benjamin, Smith, Brooks and Minns. Brooks added points with three conversions. Dalziel battled hard and held out against from pressure from Burton, before they scored a well worked try to make the final score 26-5.
Match 2: Strathaven 12 Burton 49
Against Strathaven Burton produced possibly their best team rugby of the season. Early tries from the tireless Khan and Benjamin, plus a Peach conversion were followed by the home sides first try.Tattersall and Benjamin opened the lead, however Strathaven scored just before the break and went in with their spirits lifted. Burton's power and speed came to the fore with tries from O'Brien, Khan, Jonathan Davies, and Hornby. Two conversions and a penalty from Brooks made the final score 49-12.
Match 3: Uddingston 5 Burton 39
Uddingston fielded a pack possibly two stones a man heavier than Burton, however it was Burton who took several against the head. An early Brooks try and conversion were followed by an Uddingston try. Two more lightning strikes from Brooks and a bull-dozing effort from Hornby gave Burton a half time lead of 24-5. Adam Wright touched down to finish off some outstanding work from the Burton Forwards, before a glorious move from the Backs provided Brooks with another score. The nineteenth & final try of the tour came from Taylor completing an outstanding Burton win
3rd April 2005 |
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| Burton 12 | v |
Lutterworth 7 |
Burton and Lutterworth U15s served up an exciting game full of endeavour, played in a great spirit and refereed skilfully and equitably by Mr M Evans. In the early stages Burton pressed well utilising the breeze, but the visitors defended ably and cleared their lines. With just a few minutes to go until half time Lutterworth emerged from an excellent drive maul with a try as their reward.
After the interval Burton started to play running rugby showed some excellent handling in the backs and forwards alike. Burton pressured in the set-piece to such effect that they were able to avoid extensive periods in their own 22. Some great forward power produced a chance for a Hornby special tap penalty, from which Cross made a tricky conversion to edge Burton into the lead. Spurred on by this Burton played some exquisite team Rugby eventually yielding a try from Beddard and a hard earned 12-7 victory.
17th April 2005 |
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| Burton 24 | v |
Aylestone St. James 21 |
Aylestone St James U15 visited Burton and as expected a very close game was produced. Burton took an early scrum against the head from which O'Brien weaving run earned him a try which Bartram converted. Aylestone level the scores after a spell in Burton's 22. Burton rallied and with trademark power Taylor scored Burton's second. Aylestone responded with a converted try to take the lead. Burton then produced some great team play but could not break through. Just before half time Burton's forwards probed to the right of the posts before the ball was moved to Hanson on the left wing to score his first try for the club.
Burton looked to use the wind and pin Aylestone back in their own half, which was working well until a break out try and conversion put Burton behind. Burton pressurised and enjoyed the best of the territory, only to find their efforts blocked by Aylestone's excellent defence. From Scrum Half Harris pounced on a loose ball and then thundered through four tackles to make the line. Bartram made the difficult conversion to seal a 24-21 victory.
23rd / 24th April 2005 |
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| Burton 36 | v |
Wetherby 14 |
| Burton 27 | v |
Stratford 0 |
| Burton 5 | v |
Worcetster 5 |
| Burton 7 | v |
Moseley 17 |
In a busy final weekend Burton U15 played Wetherby on Saturday and in a West Midlands Region Tournament on Sunday. A chargedown from Cross led to a try for Bartram, however Wetherby answered with 2 converted tries before the break. Burton took control of the scone with 2 Taylor tries, one each for Brooks and Hanson and a club first for Jessel. Beddard with 3 conversions wrapped up an impressive 36-14 win.
With the four top sides from Staffordshire, North Midlands and Warwickshire competing an excellent standard of rugby was guaranteed. Burton started well in their 10 minute each way opener against Stratford. Flankers Benjamin and Khan were on quickly on the scoresheet as was Brooks with two conversions and a penalty. Taylor and Jessel completed a comprehensive 27-0 victory. The group stage decider between Burton and Worcester saw a quite fantastic individual try for Brooks, which was equalised before half time. Burton spent almost the entire second period in Worcester's half where Worcester's flying backs were unable to get going. After the 5-5 draw Burton deservedly won the group on points scored.