Burton @ Loughborough on October 28th 2007

 

Game.1: Syston 5 v Burton Falcons 10

And so, the Falcons rolled onto Loughborough with the momentum of their season’s unbeaten record intact.

The first game of the day was played against Syston.

An all round team performance with every player making their mark.
This was never going to be a high scoring game with both sides demonstrating outstanding defensive work.

Excellent tackling from Jacob Abraham, Luke Greenhill, Charlie Newcombe, Dominic Phillips and James North kept Syston out in the first half.

Josh Wright and Oliver Corbett showed off their usual skills running with the ball.

For the second week running, it was the team’s improved rucking which lead to both tries. Oliver Corbett and Dominic Phillips scoring a try a piece in the first half.

The Falcons spent much of the second half on the defensive. Strong tackles were put in by almost every player; John Robson, Josh Suddaby, Josh Wright and Cameron Scobie stood out with some ferocious hits.
Oliver Corbett deserves a special mention for his two try saving tackles – superb!

Just one defensive slip saw Syston through for their only score of the game.

Man of the match:              Jacob Abraham (endless tackling and good set-up in the ruck.)

Game.2: Loughborough 5 v Burton Falcons 10

The Falcons turned their attentions to Loughborough – another side unbeaten this season.

The hosts boasted some big individuals, physically, the strongest side the Falcons have taken on so far.

The Burton boys showed no fear but plenty of heart and the desire to win.

Again, it was Jacob Abraham, Cameron Scobie, Josh Wright and James North who took the fight to Loughborough inspiring their team-mates to join them in the tackle.
James North’s tackling and work rate in this match was excellent.

As expected, John Robson got stuck in with some hard challenges prompting Charlie Newcombe to do likewise with two bone-crunching tackles.

Text book rucking and the team’s ability to recycle the ball provided the opportunity for Jacob Abraham and James North to score single tries each.

Josh Wright’s energy and commitment caused Loughborough all sorts of problems. He and John Robson went on numerous runs forward, gaining precious territory.

Loughborough’s big men hit back in the second half showing much determination to retain their unbeaten crown. This pressure lead to Loughborough scoring a try. But, to the Falcon’s credit, they could only manage the one.

The Falcon’s roll on, leaving Loughborough licking their wounds!

Man of the match:         Josh Wright (superb energy, driving runs and hard tackling.)

Falcons Man of the series:          Josh Wright

Game 3: Loughborough 0 Burton Eagles 15

Confidence high from the demolition of ‘wannabe’ world beaters Lichfield last week and the praise bestowed by Lichfield coaches that highlighted that  ‘friendship never ends’, the Eagles produced another impressive display against Loughborough. The Eagles defence was awesome and ‘too much’ for the boro offence.  Led by hard tackling from Daniel Grimsdell, Jonathon King and Sam Willets the Eagles recycled ball time and time again. Joshua Hart scored twice in the first half and completed his hat trick early in the second.  Eagles kept a clean sheet thanks to a last gasp try saving tackle by Tommy Collingwood late in the second period.  The aeroplanes were awesome with players binding together ‘2 became 1’ and ‘boy power’ pushed Loughborough back and they waved ‘goodbye’ to their previously unbeaten start to the season.

Man of the Match:   Jonathon Kingston

Game 4: Syston 0 Burton Eagles 20

If the Loughborough game was impressive this was Burton Eagles at their very best.  Once more Eagles kept a clean sheet thanks to big performances from Sam Willets who was ‘forever’ putting in big tackles, William Hulbert and Charlie Quarterman in the first half.  Burton’s offensive play was quick, fluent and decisive with Joshua Hart once more scoring a first half brace.  The first was the result of a turnover forced by a big ‘stop’ tackle by Jonathan Kingston and a pick up and ‘sporty’ run by Joshua Hart.   The second half saw Eagles extend their lead with Joshua Hart completing his hat trick thanks to good support play by Jacob Buxton and Joel Dolman.  The icing on the cake was the Eagles final try which saw Calum Launchbury and Tommy Collingwood drive the ball forward for Daniel Grimsdell to finish a ‘posh’ move in style.

This was another very good performance against very strong opposition.  The Loughborough team had a couple of big ‘scary’ strong looking lads.  However, the Eagles played as a unit and supported each other in defence and tackled fair and hard.  The Burton coaches have them well drilled and working as a collective unit.  All the players know what is expected of them.  The coaches tell them want they want, (ok here comes the cheese) ‘what they really really want’! and the lads responded in style.

Man of the Match:     Sam Willetts

Eagles Man of the Series:      Sam Willetts