Hopwood on a high

WILL Hopwood scored two tries and picked up the player of the match award as Burton beat Oundle 44-20 in the clubs’ first meeting.

The Crofters had the try bonus point in the bag before half-time in this Midlands Premier encounter as they built a 25-10 lead.

Chaz Bunting opened the scoring with a try for Burton, although he missed the conversion, before the Crofters had to make an early change, Tommie Collingwood replacing the injured Jack Neal.

Both teams exchanged penalty kicks, Bunting on target for Burton, before Jamie Dutton pierced the Oundle defence with a grubber kick which Hopwood latched on to for the home side’s second try in the 17th minute.

Burton started to use the strong wind to their full advantage and were rewarded when a fine move finished with full-back Alfredo Bergada scoring a converted try on the right.

Dutton finished another move for Burton’s bonus point try, although the extras were missed, but Oundle closed the half with a converted score.

The start to the second half was explosive by Burton as Dutton made a break through the Oundle defence and again fed the supporting Hopwood, who scored on the left with less than a minute gone.

Bunting’s conversion against the wind was superb and Burton looked in command, leading 32-10.

Collingwood burst through for an unconverted try to increase the lead but Oundle replied with five points of their own.

The visitors enjoyed the lion’s share of possession until Burton replacement Elliott Grant superbly intercepted a pass at halfway and ran unopposed to score a converted try under the posts.

Oundle claimed a try bonus point on the last play of the game, although the conversion was missed.