Today is

Burton under 12's played host to visitors to Ashby under 12's today.The Burton squad were sufficient for 2 teams whereas Ashby brought along enough players for one team,Even so the ASHBY coaches were kind enough to agree to two games , for which we at Burton were most gratefull.

The weather was splendid , a hard frost the night before made the ground firm but as the sun shone down on the Cherry Orchard the ground softened .

Burton were strongly supported with guest appearance by Mandy and also Mrs Ward, who could just be made out under the 5 layers of clothes she wore, but at least with her present you knew the support would be at least vocal.

Game 1: Burton 45 Ashby 0

And so to the game, Burton started lively moving the ball through several phases of play, using the forwards to draw ASHBY in and then moving the ball sweetly down the line to expose the gaps and spaces they had created. Burton dominated the line out ball with Louis Sanders securing good ball Burton used their dominance to move the ball down the line for Tom Hamlet to do a deceptive skip to wrong foot the ASHBY defence and score BURTON's first try, unfortunately the conversion was missed.

From the re-start Burton secured good ball in mid field and Louis Sanders did a strong move passing the ball to Edward Wainman who moved strongly forward taking with him 3 or 4 ASHBY players and when eventually they had hold of him Wainman did a nice offload to the bald headed Eddie Nicholls who scored  the try in the corner, this time the conversion kick was good  burton led 12-0.

From the ASHBY restart, Burton again made use of their strength and pace and returned the ball with determination and drive, again Wainman made a telling break and drove forward pulling in the ASHBY players to open up a bit of space,support play by young Mr Balance saw him take possesion of the ball and scor Burtons 3rd try,again the conversion was good.19-0

ASHBY to their credit stuck to their game and came out looking determined to stop Burton and impose themselves on the game. From the re-start Ben Ward, we know it was him because of JANES screaming "COME ON BEN ", made a determined run into the heart of the ASHBY forwards who put in some good tackles, however this again sucked their players in and BURTON found themselves with an overlap on the wing of 4 against 2 which meant, despite the ASHBY, players valiant efforts it was another easy try for Tom Hamlet, again converted by Burton 26-0 and half time came.

The ground and the weather suited Burtons style of play strong forward play and quick ball out to the pacey back line.The restart saw Burton dominance of the line out with  a series of two line outs and on the second one Louis Sanders taking the ball in the air breaking through the ASHBY line to score again for Burton, the conversion was good, 33-0

The pattern of play was repeated for Burtons next try as from the restart Burton secured the ball and Ben Ward made a strong run for the line and scored for Burton, the people in TESCO'S knew about that one again because of Janes demonic screams, the conversion was good 40-0

With the game coming to a close ASHBY, to their credit ,didn't let their heads fall and seemed determined to keep the rampaging Burton squad out and with some good tackles, however when Louis Sanders got the ball in open field he only had one thing in mind and so after breaking some tackles he found himself over the line and the final score of the game  meant Burton won 45-0

Game 2: Burton 21 Ashby 0

Unfortunately this Hack had to leave for work and so the note taking for the second game fell to the ever willing to please DEAN BATES.

Once again thanks to the ASHBY players , coaches and supporters for agreeing to play the two games.

ASHBY must have been a good motivational talk and probably some raw meat because from the start of the second game they had Burton on the back foot and were the team moving forward and exerting pressure on the Burton defence. This phase of play nearly saw ASHBY score a try if it wasn't for a great text book tackle from " THE LADY " Phoebe Jay. Their followed a phase of good passing by Burton again using quick hands and quicker legs saw George Mills score for Burton, which was converted for Burton to lead 7-0.

From the early ASHBY pressure Burton galvanised themselves and began to dominate the game winning all the scrums through powerfull forward play, from one of these scrums it was George Mills who popped up on the blind side for Burtons second try which again was converted 14-0 at the half time whistle.

In the second half Burton played to their strenghts with good strong forward play securing possesion and then swift decisive passing down the back line. In the line out Sam Blance secured the ball and drove forward keepingthe ball alive it was again George Mills who found himself with ball in hand only to be thwarted by an ever more determined and dogged ASHBY defence.

However with Burton dominating the play it was from another set piece , the scrum, that Burton launched another attack with George Prince setting up Alex Nesbitt to score the final try of the game and for burton to make the conversion game two ended with a Burton victory 21-0

A good day at the office