Burton 36 v Sheffield Tigers 17 on 9th February 2008

With players not turning up Burton Vets faced Sheffield Tigers with thirteen men, but then a late cry-off reduced this to 12 before even more embarrassment had steam coming out of Dave Brown’s ears as a late pitch change and no referee added to his captaincy worries. Fortunately, the visitors provided a referee from their own ranks to help ease this sorry state of affairs so the two teams set off for Shobnall Fields to play thirteen aside.

Despite all the hassle and embarrassment Brown was intent on leading his side to victory and he soon showed this intent as he barged his way over for a try in the very first minute. After Mel Gilbert took the kick-off and fed Brown to set him off chasing down the field with his anger helping his sheer ability to bounce defenders off him to score in the corner. Anthony Hewitt then added a brace of tries for himself as his pace left the opposition for dead. With Kev Wrathall and Paul Davis both adding conversions Burton soon had a healthy 19-0 lead.
But Sheffield were not down and out and before the break hit back with three tries and one conversion to give a 19-17 score at the break.

The second period of play was all Burton as Ben Waldron, Alan Lumby and Paul Davis added further tries and Davis got another conversion to give Burton a deserving 36-17 victory. Credit to Sheffield for all their efforts and indeed their willingness to provide a referee to enable the game to go on at all.