Crofters make an impact but can’t stop the leaders
BURTON enjoyed a purple spell in the first half but ultimately finished second best against high-flying Bromsgrove in the Midlands Premier.
The Crofters hit the road for a tough away fixture, eventually losing 57-27 to a team who climbed to the top of the table as a result.
Bromsgrove didn’t take long to get some points on the board, going over for an early unconverted try.
Play then moved between the 10m lines for a while before Burton’s Lewis Brooks broke to the opposition 22.
The visitors lost the ball but Bromsgrove knocked on and Burton attacked on the right. Alfie Grant got close to the line before passing inside to full-back Kieran Jackson, who scored his first try in the first team.
Chaz Bunting converted superbly to give Burton a 7-5 lead.
Tristan De Jager then thwarted a Bromsgrove break with an excellent tackle and Jack Barry Neale was on hand to earn a penalty at the breakdown.
Burton were now playing with increased energy and confidence, going close from a driving maul and again soon afterwards before Bunting kicked a penalty.
The good spell continued, with James Davies making a surging run before finding Cal Donnelly on his shoulder to take the ball to the 22 but the move ended with a knock on.
Pressure from Bunting forced the home number eight to knock on and from the ensuing scrum Burton gained a penalty which Bunting sent between the uprights for a 13-5 lead.
Lewis Sturgess was in the thick of things as always before leaving the field for a blood injury, replaced by debutant Rob Jones.
Bromsgrove kicked a penalty to the corner and three phases after the line-out they crashed over under the posts for a converted try.
That reduced Burton’s lead to a single point but the home side began to take control, scoring three more tries, one unconverted, before Burton scored again.
From a driving maul, Davies burst clear to score and Bunting added the extras to make it 31-20.
Bromsgrove responded with two more tries, one converted, but Burton continued to compete.
Playing from their own line, the Crofters released De Jager for an outside break and chip into touch at the opposition 22
The home side failed to clear their lines and, after some good pressure, fly half Harry Titley ghosted through to score for Burton.
Bunting drop kicked the conversion successfully to make it 43-27.
Bromsgrove had the final say, however, with two more converted tries to wrap up the win.
There is now a break in league action and Burton, 12th in the table, have played the top five. They will be hoping to pick up points when they meet the teams around them, starting at home against Syston on October 23.