September 30th 2007

Well it's been 4 weeks of training and this was the first test for Burton, playing with 13 and on the larger pitch at the Cherry Orchard against a Derby side we didn't know much about.this was to be a double header with two games of 30 minutes each

The morning didn't get off to a good start, as in the kitchen Karen R could be heard screaming at her frying pan because she was having trouble with her sausages.

Outside the club house the Burton parents were probably more nervous than the kids , and what a fine bunch of parents we were. Its obviously early in the season as we had a few special guest appearences, Mrs Ward looking a bit like the michellin man in her 4 layers of clothes on this lovely sunny September morning.Standing next to her was Sarah sporting yet another injury from her drunken antics the night before, this time not her knee but a rather lovely looking , slightly red eye, it's amazing what damage red wine does to your body.From behind these two could be heard a faint rumbling that grew louder and louder " I SHOULD BE IN BED " were the mutterings coming from an incredibly cheerfull Mandy.

The omens grew worse as we crossed to the Ox -Hay, our old friend Ben Ward could be seen with some of the team sniggering on the bridge and looking into the crystal clear waters of the Trent, "IT'S ME GUM SHEILD " he said pointing into the waters as it drifted out of sight, the look from Jane would have frozen those very same waters.

And so to the game, special guest ref appearance by Kev, resplendent in his authentic 1950,s Stanley Matthews shorts.

Burton 7 Derby 14

Burton started the game and the ball was cleanly collected by the Derby side and first contact was a bone crunching tackle from Ben Ward. What followed was a series of Scrums with both sides having the put in but neither side gaining an advantage, and the forweards on each side trying to impose themselves on each other but Alex, Tom, Ben and the rest didn't flinch. It was then that Derby started to use their back line and moved the ball up and down it withsome fluid movements, This was the feature of Derby play this reporter was the difference between the sides, this series of phases resulted in a Derby Try that was converted. This score injected Burton with a bit more vigour and both the Backs and the Forwards played their part in pushing Derby back and sustaining pressure on the Derby line, but that old enemy time meant that we ended the half 7-0 to Derby.

In the second half again the Derby back line moved the ball and Burton defended stoutly, as the game warmed up so did Jane Ward who was rumoured to have removed a scarf. Derby movement of the ball stretched the Burton defence and what seemed like their second try was halted by a magnificent tackle from Ed Wainman, who as usual was barking orders to try and organise the Burton line.However Derby pressure resulkted in their second try which was converted. Again Burton responded with a fighting spirit that we know these lads possess and from 20 yards out Jim Bob Taylor went over the line, his try was converted by Eddie Nicholls.

The game ended with a 14 to 7 win for Derby who on the balance of play deserved it with their back line play and at times Burtons lack of penetration and not getting up into Derby quick enough.

Burton 10 Derby 17

DING DING game two, this game was a lively affair with Burton scoring within minutes of the start when George Mills scampered down the line to score in the corner for Burton, which again Eddie Nicholls converted. Then from the re-start Derby pressed forward and from some quick ball play scored a try that they didn't convert. What followed was some open and quick Rugby with both sides trying to score and any errors been ponced on and the pendulum of play swinging from one team to the other, and at the end of the half Burton seemed to have the edge over their opponents.

From the restart Derby drove forward and as a result of weak ,and in some players cases no challenges, Derby breached the Burton defence to score again but again failed to convert.Burton came forward and were camped on the Derby line, a quickly taken penalty by Burton resulted in a mass of bodies on the Derby line. The referee, Lord Balance raised his arm and Burton had scored and he assures me it was Tom Winter, Burton failed to convert but had regained the lead 12-10.The game swayed either way and Burton found themselves defending and again Derby managed to Score and this time converted. Th final whistle blew and Burton had lost a closely fought game 17-10.

A Note to a couple of Burton players who were injured in the last game, Eddie Nicholls picked up an ankle injury, and Jim Bob picked up a shoulder injury, hope both you boys are alright and will be down for training as usual.

Derby proved the better side on both games but it's only the start of the season and Burton proved that they have the capability and will to win and i'm sure we will see this spirited team winning as they should next week