Burton 23 Coalville 8 on   Sept 30th 2007

A squad of 19 players were available for todays cracking home fixture against a strong Coalville team: Adam Brookes, Joe Gazzard, Nick Brown, Tom Beardsmore, Dan Avery, Joe Briggs, Ollie Varney, Henry Clarke, Luke Day, Ben Marshall, Harry Titley, Tom Samways, Adam Dixon, Steve Cooke, Matt Boden, Rikki Hooper, Charley Cash, David Dew and Simon Till, with 7 players unavailable due to injury or school commitments.

This was exactly the type of game we needed, hard forward play coupled with excellent back moves and support play.  Good phases of rugby based on ball retention and a willingness to try moves and improve our overall team game - everyone well done!!

With limited backup in the forwards we had to rearrange the team prior to kick off due to a pulled muscle in Simon Tills leg. There was no arguments and no hassle from anyone - great attitude. Joe Gazzard moved to hooker, Ollie Varney to flanker and Dan Avery to second row. Tom Samways to outside centre, Adam Dixon in on the wing and catching ball and Burton were ready!!!

An excellent penalty from long range by Ben Marshall and two well worked tries had us nicely placed at 13 - Nil at half time. We also held off a frantic 5/10 minute spell of pressure from the Coalville forwards, something we would achieve for an even longer period in the second half.

Coalville came at us even harder in the second half, however three points from a penalty were all that Burton would allow them and having soaked up numerous drives and mauls it was Burton who managed to score two fantastic team tries back up the Coalville end. Good back play, good forward play and excellent interchanging and support left spectators, family and friends alike applauding the Burton team effort.

Coalville had a consolation try towards the end of the game, which after being camped for 15 minutes on the Burton try line was probably a fair reward for their hard work.

A good result this week against a hard, durable team who in the past have generally got the better of us. Finally four more players received their white laces, three in the forwards and one in the backs (that said the entire squad played well in all areas of the pitch)

Our thanks to Tom Handy the referee and also my thanks on behalf of the players to Angelo for bringing a spark to our team play. Also nice to see David Dew back in the squad.