Honours even as Crofters head into New Year
BURTON closed the year with a home draw in a hard-fought Midlands Premier encounter against Scunthorpe.
The scores were level at 17-17 with 20 minutes remaining and that was the way it stayed, although the Crofters were frustrated to see a possible try ruled out, while Scunthorpe missed a couple of penalties.
When the teams met at Scunthorpe in September, the Crofters suffered a 53-14 defeat but this time they fully deserved the draw, although they were not helped by a big penalty count against them.
In the opening stages, the teams sized each other up before Burton threatened first.
The Crofters were awarded a penalty and although the kick did not go into touch, it was well chased by Tristian De Jager, who forced Scunthorpe to clear for a Burton throw-in just inside the 22.
Burton won the line-out and drove the ensuing maul all the way over the try line but the referee was not able to see a clear grounding of the ball, so no try was given.
Scunthorpe chose to run the scrum ball and made steady progress up to their 10-metre line before the ball was knocked on.
Burton’s subsequent scrum gave them a stable platform before a grubber kick to the corner was fumbled by the visitors, allowing Alex Nesbitt to pick up and score in the left corner. The conversion was missed meaning Burton led 5-0.
From the re-start Burton ran the ball back up to the halfway line but then knocked on for a scrum to Scunthorpe.
The excellent Burton defence was instrumental in forcing Scunthorpe to overplay and a rushed pass was knocked on for another home scrum.
An injury to Corey Beck meant a lengthy delay but he was fit to continue for Burton, who then increased the pressure and were rewarded when Alfredo Bergada spotted a gap in the defence before using his exceptional pace to race through to score under the posts in the 15th minute. Chaz Bunting converted for a 12-0 lead.
However, Burton knocked on from the re-start to hand possession straight back to Scunthorpe. Great defensive work kept the visitors at bay but a further injury to Beck meant another delay and then the scrum at the re-commencement of play had to be re-set three times before the referee lost his patience, deciding Burton were at fault.
Scunthorpe took maximum advantage of this and, helped by further penalties, eventually touched down for a converted try.
From the re-start De Jager got his hands on the ball but was adjudged to have knocked on and Scunthorpe were given the put-in at the scrum.
Scrappy play over the next few minutes resulted in several scrum re-starts as the wet ball made it difficult to play expansive rugby.
As the half wore on, the referee’s whistle disrupted any flow in the game and it was Scunthorpe who benefited, in the main, with what seemed like a run of penalties.
Burton were under increasing pressure but managed to keep
Scunthorpe out with a well-taken line-out steal on their own fivemetre line.
However, on the last play of the half, after another penalty against Burton, Scunthorpe established an interval lead with their second converted try.
The penalty count against the home team continued to be very high in the second half and the Crofters were reduced to 14 after a yellow card was shown.
Scunthorpe stretched their lead to 17-12 with a penalty but Burton hit back. Bergada again showed his pace and quick feet but was stopped by foul play and Burton moved close to the Scunthorpe try line for another line-out.
Possession was retained from the throw and Bunting made a decisive break on the blind side to score Burton’s third try in the right corner.
The conversion proved too difficult but Burton had tied the scores with just under 20 minutes remaining.
In the closing stages, Burton thought they were going to take the lead when an excellent kick along the ground from Harry Titley appeared to set winger Elliot Grant free about 20 metres from the try line on the left.
However, Grant was adjudged to be in front of the kicker, much to the frustration of the home side.
Scunthorpe also missed two penalties as both defences finished on top.
Burton return to action on January 8 with a trip to Sheffield.