Rugeley 0 Burton 50 on   Nov 4th 2007

This weekend Burton Under 15 Cougars travelled to Rugeley for the two teams’ first ever Staffordshire League meeting.  The teams did meet last season in friendly fixtures and Burton are proud to have been involved with their host’s development into competition rugby.  However, this time out, the Cougars’ eyes were set upon a good performance and a high winning score line.

Rugeley kicked off the game and with their deep kick put Burton under pressure in the initial minutes, as the young ‘Crofters struggled to settle their nerves.  Battling within 5 metres of their own try line, the Cougars seemed as if they may concede the first points of the game.  However, the ball found Tom Cooper in space and with a clear run out of danger.  The hosts were unable to keep up as Cooper sped the length of the field to score and convert the first try of the game.  Given a second opportunity to receive a re-start, the Cougars settled into the game with some terrific teamwork and mature decision making.  The ball went through several phases of play, before being passed out to Elliot Bexon on the wing to score his first try for his club.  For the next 10 minutes, the only time Rugeley were able to touch the ball was at the re-start.  Two tries scored by Sam Hooper from terrific team play and good driving work and a further try from Matty Davies put the Cougars well into the lead.  Rugeley, who had remained well disciplined and hard working throughout put the Cougars under pressure, forcing them to defend their try line for the closing minutes of the half.  Burton Cougars remained calm and composed in defence ending the first period of the game with a clean sheet and a 27 point advantage.

Burton Cougars kicked off for the second half and forced their hosts to defend once again.  Despite Rugeley’s best efforts defending many Burton phases, the Cougars scored  through their consistent pressure; Sam Hooper making his much deserved hat trick.  Tom Cooper was quick to follow up with a further try.  As their confidence grew, Burton Cougars looked to extend their repertoire, trying many new moves with mixed results.  A frenetic period of play unfurled, with the Cougars having to work hard to reclaim ball that had gone astray.  An unfortunate tackle in which a Rugeley player was unintentionally dumped resulted in a Burton player being “sin-binned”, fortunately this had little bearing on the Cougars’ game.  Within moments a sweet cross-field kick found a Burton player over the opponents try line, poor grounding of the ball meant no try was given.  The Cougars were not long in making amends; they went back to basics and soon returned to their previous form.  A try from Reece Collier was swiftly followed by a try by Matty Collier who drove over the whitewash from the back of a ruck.  A surging run from Reece Collier gave him his second try of the game, which was duly converted by Steve McRobbie.  Tom Cooper scored the next points and celebrated his hat trick by converting the try.  Rugeley, having given all they could, tired quickly and were unable to offer resistance as before.  Further tries from Burton were unstoppable and Alex Gray and Sam Roulston added to the score before Cooper crossed for the final try of the game.

The official score line, adjusted in line with the competition rules was 0 – 50 in the Cougars favour.  With 14 tries and 3 conversions, this was a comprehensive victory for the young ‘Crofters and a working example that team work and good decision making pay dividends.   All players on the field worked well together in attack and defence and took their opponents seriously until the final whistle.  All in all - a very good day at the office.