Lutterworth 29 Burton 21 on   Nov 18th 2007

This weekend, Burton Under 15 Cougars travelled to the wilds of South Leicestershire to play Lutterworth RFC.  In the bleakest wet and windy conditions imaginable, the Cougars fielded a development side against their hosts.       

Lutterworth started proceedings with a long ranging kick which allowed them to put initial pressure on the Burton line, after some frantic defensive work by the young Crofters, the hosts opened the scores with an unconverted try.  The Cougars worked hard to regain composure, but, it was difficult for the Cougars to settle conceding another 12 points before finally being able to make good ground and keep more possession.

The Cougars found themselves deep in the opposition 22 before Lutterworth were awarded a scrum.  As the Cougars pack gave their all, the ball came out the side of the Lutterworth scrum to be scooped up in open play by Max Gower.  Crashing forward, Gower twisted and turned until he grounded the ball over the line for the team’s first try, converted by Tom Cooper. 

The Cougars’ confidence was growing and their opponents knew it.  Shortly before half-time, the hosts mauled their way over the Cougars’ line, the young ‘Crofters kept the ball up and looked certain to be given possession at the scrum.  However, the official saw an infringement which he not only awarded a penalty try for, but reduced Burton to 14 players for the rest of the game.  The first period of play finished 24 -7.

From the moment that Burton Cougars restarted the second half, their intentions were made clear.  They surged forward with ball in hand, keeping continuity in their play that belied the bleak conditions.  At the inevitable scrums, Burton Cougars consistently won the ball to keep on going forward and putting their hosts under pressure.  The results were marvellous team tries for Matty Davies, driven over the line by his pack and Tom Cooper.  Both tries were converted by Cooper.  The Cougars could almost feel a win, but the hosts, had the last score of the game to finish the match.

The game finished 29 – 21 in favour of the hosts.  With the some of the official’s decisions seeming harsh against them, the greatest lesson learnt by the new Burton players was to keep their heads down and let the rugby do the talking.  The way in which they did this and played the better rugby is something which they can all be proud of.

In this game, Jake Patrick made his debut, Ashley Westwood played his first full game on only his second run out and many of the newer players were in the starting line up for the first time.  Special mention goes to Adam Tooth, also playing his first full game today, his spirit in going forward with the ball in hand and efforts around the pitch will make the more established members of the team take note and watch their own form.