Under 11's @ Nottingham on 13th January 2008

On a very muddy pitch Burton faired very well in the two games played, losing out to a large Kesteven side and beating the strong well drilled Nottingham side in a fast and furious spectacular game of Rugby.

Match 1 Burton 0 v  Kesteven  20

Burton fielded a lot of new players in this game, 8 of the 12 man team only starting Rugby this season. The first half Kesteven piled on the pressure and were on top for most of the half scoring 3 tries. Burton put in a lot of tackles keeping out many more tries and worked together in defence as a team. Thomas Benjamin filling in at Fly Half tackled well and had some good runs coming close to scoring several times.

In the second half Burton were much improved, conceding only 1 try in this half. Joe Thompson was strong in attack, breaking through the Kesteven defence on several occasions. Prop Josh Shaw making his debut for Burton was solid in the scrum and showed his strength in the loose. 2nd Row Tim Robinson was all over the park, tackling every Kesteven player that had the ball. Full back George Wyton had a great second half with a strong wind in his face he tackled well and cleared up all loose ball, whilst wingers Greg Toon and Aiden Hopkinson ensured that play was forced to the touchline.

In the centres for Burton, Scott Hickinbotham and Haydn Mabbot were strong in the tackle and punched the holes up the centre of the field to set up good attacking positions. Prop Ben Tomlinson held firm in the scrum to aid Burton in winning their ball and Scrum Half Oscar Phillips linked the Backs and Forwards well in difficult conditions.

Match 2  Nottingham 5  v Burton 19

In this match Burton fielded a more experienced side to play a strong well drilled Nottingham team that had just beaten Kesteven.

With the pitch now very muddy and churned up playing conditions were very difficult, but credit has to go to both teams as they provided a very exciting and spectacular game of Rugby. Burton started the better demonstrating good handling and passing through the backs line in the difficult conditions, this led to a maul 10 yards from the Nottingham line with Prop Josh Greenwood bursting from the maul down the blind side to power his way over the line for the opening try, conversion from Ben Whitehouse.

All the forwards were strong in the set play securing vital ball for Burton, 2nd row Mark Titley had some great surging runs up field setting play up for burtons attack with fellow 2nd row Lewis Sturgess was a terrier around the park tackling well and turning ball over for Burton. Prop Adam Dolman and Hooker Abe Furner did all the basics well solid in all set play and loose.

In the last few minutes of the first half Burton allowed Nottingham in for a deserved equalising try which was unconverted. In the second half Burton had the very strong wind with them and used it well with Full back Ben Whitehouse putting in several high up and unders to put Nottingham on the back foot and under constant pressure.

This pressure paid off as Prop forward Josh Greenwood again peeled off the back of a maul to power over the Line to score his and Burton's second try, taking Burton into the Lead, try converted by Lewis Mason. Scrum half Harry Pickett was all over the park tackling well and crucially linking the forwards and backs extremely well finding his Fly half Jacob Brown every time. Jacob filling in at Fly half was confident in this position and released his back line with perfection.

Centres Thomas Benjamin and Tai Fellows tackled and defended their line like their lives depended on it and let nothing through, Winger Joshua Thorman tackled well and showed his pace several times, with other Winger and player of he day Lewis Mason fully committed to the cause putting in more tackles and showing great strength in his attacking running play. Lewis was rewarded with a Try to secure Burton victory 5 minutes from time, strong, fast running with a side step past the full back to score a wonderfull try. For the last few minutes of the game Burton were on the defencive and Full Back Ben Whitehouse put in  two huge tackles to stop any Nottingham trys.

A great team performance demonstrating good passing and support play, forwards and backs linking together and from 1 to 12 in defence tackles were strong and hard.

Well done to all players today, two excellent games of entertaining rugby.