Burton ‘B’ XV recorded their first win since the opening day of the season with a highly charged and close fought victory over Derby.

With 21 players in their squad Burton loaned Derby a prop in order to allow the game to get underway and it was Burton who took control of the initial exchanges with great powerful runs by Ian Fitzgerald and John Collett. One such burst saw John Low feed the galloping Fitzgerald, who stretched his legs like a gazelle to race over for a try from fifty metres whilst supported by Martin Bird and Simon Collier.

But with Derby just living off scraps it was their centre who scored next against the run of play as he jinxed his way over for a converted try to put the hosts in front. However, a penalty struck with his usual precision from 41 metres by Pat Winter soon restored Burton’s lead just on the stroke of half-time.

To give everyone a game Burton made six changes during the break and none of this stopped Burton’s control or impetus as they continued to take the game to Derby. But a penalty from Derby saw them sneak into the lead. But Burton stepped up to the mark and with Dave Noon and Will Peach dancing through the opposition backs and Chris Cooke, ‘Tich’ McHardy and Fitzgerald all playing like rampaging bulls at a Spanish market Burton just kept up a constant bombardment of the Derby line. With moments to go Burton were awarded a penalty and little Sam Large stepped up to majestically slot the ball between the uprights to clinch a well deserved victory for this spirited Burton team.