Under 12's @ Nottingham on January 13th 2008

Burton travelled with almost a full squad to Nottingham where we played the hosts and a team from Kesteven. 

Nottingham 10  Burton 5

First up was Nottingham, who from touchline observation looked a big side. 

Burton started with a strong wind in their faces and to compound their difficult task just as Nottingham kicked-off the rain started to fall.  As expected Nottingham had much of the early territorial advantage but Burton defended resolutely.  Play was interrupted by an umbrella blowing full tilt from one end of the pitch to the other.  Relentless pressure from Nottingham finally saw them score the opening try of the game mid way through the first-half.

From the kick-off Burton began to retain possession and made progress into the Nottingham half with good handling throughout the team.  Unfortunately the penetration required to break down a strong Nottingham team was not quite there.  Eventually Burton were put back deep in their own half by a long clearance kick.  Shortly afterwards Nottingham were awarded a penalty 10 yards out and one of the larger Nottingham players went over for their second try rather too easily.

Starting the second-half two tries up the Nottingham scrum half, in particular showed great tactical awareness and skill in kicking low against the wind to gain early territorial advantage.  Burton, however began to spring to life and mounted a sustained attack with good close play around the rucks and mauls.  Following good handling in difficult conditions Louis Sanders drove well from 10 yards out to get a try back for Burton.  A combination of great defensive work by Nottingham and a lack of clinical finishing meant Burton were just denied an equalising try they really deserved and Nottingham ended up winners by two tries to one.

Kesteven 5  Burton 10

In game two our big squad enabled an almost entirely different team to line-up against Kesteven.  Burton started with the wind at their backs and maintained good pressure for most of the first-half.  Burton won a line-out deep in Kesteven territory and Zac Byrd caught well and drove over for the first try of the game.  Some good handling in the backs was denied by a resolute Kesteven defence.  Towards the end of the half Kesteven started to come back into the game without really putting Burton under any serious pressure.

In the second-half the game was much more even and Burton didn’t help their cause by trying to kick the ball out of defence against the wind.  This eventually lead to an equalising score for Kesteven mid-way through the half.  Burton was then jolted back to life and began to play the best rugby of the game despite the intrusion, at times, of an over-zealous referee.  Burton’s persistence however paid dividends when the unstoppable Zac Byrd went over from a close range penalty to seal a good victory.

Congratulations should be given to all players in what were very difficult conditions.