Burton U15’s v Lichfield U15’s – Friendly Match – 7th November 2021

KO 10:50am – Lichfield playing against the strong wind on the Burton 2nd Team pitch in the first half, and away from the Clubhouse, going good to soft!

It’s worth initially noting, Burton have recently moved from their original home at Peel Croft to this new site just off the A38 at Tatenhill, and what exceptional facilities and a great set up they have!

10 mins – Try to Burton, the very strong gusting wind in Lichfield’s faces from the start really seemed to have put the lads off their stride, that and some players playing out of their normal positions contributed to a slow start for the 3rd week running unfortunately. The ball came loose in the Lichfield 22 and was collected by Will Fox who’s attempted clearance kick was caught by the wind and bobbled up nicely into the Burton full backs arms who evaded 2 or 3 tackles to score in the far right hand corner.

Conversion unsuccessful

18 mins – Try to Burton, after several recycled rucks in the Lichfield 22 Burton moved the ball wide to the left and ran in unopposed under the posts to score as all of the Lichfield backs had inexplicably defended on the blind side of the ruck

Conversion successful

End of first 20 minute period. Burton 12 - 0 Lichfield

23 mins – Lichfield try, some really good ball retention and continuity moving the ball well through their hands, with several recycled rucks included, Charlie Semple drove over to score to the left hand side of the posts

Conversion successful into a really strong wind by Charlie Vernon

30 mins – The Ref, who was in charge of his first game after ‘qualifying’, turned the sides around so Lichfield would have the second half playing with the elements now in their favour

33 mins – Lichfield try, unfortunately the wind completely obliterated my voice recording at this point…..I have no idea who scored, sorry all!!

Conversion unsuccessful

37 mins – Lichfield try, after a scrum on the Burton 10m line, Charlie Semple broke on the blind side of the scrum and set off down the wing handing off several wold be tacklers before passing the ball back inside for the supporting Zack Birkett Potter to score

Conversion unsuccessful

End of second 20 minute period. Burton 12 – 17 Lichfield

45 mins – Lichfield try, a great period of sustained pressure by the Lichfield lads forcing the Burton defence into making a mistake and not clearing their lines by being caught in possession under their posts, Lichfield secured the turnover for Teddy Roberts to score from close range

Conversion successful by Will Fox

50 mins – Burton try, Lichfield failed to secure the ball from the re-start after their last try giving possession back to Burton who set a series of rucks up and recycled the ball well and threatened the Lichfield line with the big No8 eventually crashing over to score

Conversion successful

Final score Burton 19 – 24 Lichfield

A much changed starting 15 struggled today with the elements initially, the wind was really very unsettling and difficult to play into, this seemed to distract the lads who couldn’t focus and get into their stride. This in turn gave Burton confidence to play at a level that they hadn’t been at before (according to their Coaches – so this was good to see), and they really got into their stride in the first 20 minutes. The lads had to dig deep and sort the problems out on the pitch and figure out how best to play the conditions and counter the Burton strengths which they duly did. The performance wasn’t overly convincing but maybe this was in part due to the weather, but probably also down to a lack of focus and proper commitment in the early stages, we really aren’t the finished article yet and can’t get complacent….. The pleasing thing was though that they stuck at it and worked hard to turn things around, but a much higher level of intensity and accuracy will be required in the coming weeks so we need to work really hard on our basic processes in training this week