Lichfield 22 Burton 31 on Dec 2nd 2007

Heavy overnight rain which continued into the morning suggested that this match might be a very soggy affair but by kick off the skies were clearing leaving only a very strong wind blowing.

The Burton lads were really fired up for this important Cup game and started  with a determination which they maintained for pretty much the whole 80 mins.

Burton had the advantage of the wind in the first half and set about building up a decent tally of points with an early try close to the corner by Maitland Smith which was well converted by Jonny Briggs from only a yard in from touch, the first of several good kicks from him. Shortly after Lichfield took advantage of a soft penalty to make it 7-3.

Good pressure from the re-start saw Burton straight back into the Lichfield 22 and almost immediately Giles Rought Whitta sends Minns off on a break which puts Nathan Taylor over the line for try No2, ably converted again by Briggs.

The Lichfield backs are clearly dangerous on the counter attack and Burton find themselves having to defend for almost the first time in the game. The defence is excellent, however, and good tactical kicking soon has Burton back in Lichfield’s half and some very fast 2nd phase ball leaves Lichfield’s defence wide open for Taylor to score again.

Penalty after penalty were given against Burton, but Lichfield fail to make any headway against a very determined Burton team. Another good tactical punt, chased hard and taken on by Tattersall ends with a Burton penalty from which Manning scores and Briggs converts, again from only a yard in from touch.

At half time Burton lead 26 –3

The second half was always going to be a challenge for Burton with an even stronger wind against them and a Lichfield team, clearly not used to being made to look ordinary, coming out fighting. They take advantage of the wind and score early and then keep Burton pinned back for some time with a succession of high, long kicks one of which ended, somewhat strangely, in a penalty try.

What really impressed today, however, was the all round team attitude from Burton and instead of letting their heads drop after an uncanny number of penalties awarded against them, fought their way right back into the game and deservedly Josh Wattrus scored their first try of the second half following a superb break down the wing.

Burton continue to stick to their task and win some good ruck ball, always looking to break away into Lichfield’s half, but that wind was a godsend to Lichfield and once again up goes a kick which this time is collected and taken on at speed. Only an excellent cover tackle from Rought Whitta, who raced half way across the pitch, prevented a Lichfield score.

This was a very exciting game to watch and Burton ran out the deserved winners at 31 points to 22, having produced an all round team performance which they should be proud of.