Delight on the road as Crofters stand firm to win
BANBURY 12
BURTON 18
BURTON silenced a large crowd as they ended Banbury’s unbeaten home record with an outstanding 18-12 win in Regional 1 Midlands on Saturday.
And coach Harry Titley hailed the “mature rugby” his depleted side produced in the second half to overturn a 12-6 deficit and then defend solidly to keep their lead.
“We had many players unavailable due to illness and injury but credit to the togetherness of the squad who travelled to Banbury,” said Titley.
“Banbury had not lost at home this season so we were ready for a tough away day.
“We reminded the players that the game doesn’t change, just because we are playing on the road.
“The field is the same, the ball is the same, our game plan is the same, we just need to nail it.”
Things did not go well initially, with Burton’s discipline not what it might have been.
“We grew into the game, that’s for certain,” said Titley.
“It wasn’t the best of starts, with discipline letting us down in our own 22, allowing Banbury to apply pressure.
“That said, our exit strategy was put to the test and we managed to relieve pressure on many occasions.
“The most pleasing aspect of our performance was the second half with some really mature rugby from our half-backs meaning we grabbed control of the game, improved discipline and controlled the territory battle.
“Our fitness showed towards the end, along with patience and bravery in defence as we held on to get the win.”
Banbury started the game well and only a knock-on as they attempted to ground the ball stopped them scoring in the first attack.
When Burton got into the Banbury half for the first time, an interception put them on the back foot and a penalty for not releasing in the tackle saw them back on their own five-metre line.
They got out of that situation and took the lead in the eighth minute when they were awarded a penalty which Dom Phillips kicked successfully.
Back came Banbury with more pressure and they broke through for a converted try after 15 minutes.
Burton won more good territory from the restart but were struggling to produce their normal fluidity in attack.
Play was concentrated either side of the 22-metre lines as neither side were able to penetrate the defensive line until three minutes before halftime when Burton were awarded another kickable penalty, following their first really good handling move by the backs.
Phillips did the job again and a 7-6 half-time deficit would have been acceptable – but before the break Chaz Bunting was yellow-carded and Banbury took advantage to run in their second try, although the conversion was missed.
However, the start of the second half was as good as it gets from a Burton perspective as they moved the ball well directly from kick-off and Tommy Collingwood broke through and out-ran the defence to score a morale-boosting try.
Phillips added the conversion to take Burton a point ahead.
Although Banbury put Burton under pressure from the re-start, it was clear the balance had shifted and when they regained possession, they moved the ball very nicely through the hands and a good move was halted by an excellent tackle on Tristan Dejager as he threatened to break clear on the right.
Even with 14 men, this was better from Burton and a great catch and drive move looked like it may produce the next score before Banbury stole the ball and were able to clear the immediate danger.
Once Bunting was reinstated the Crofters began to take greater control of the game and as the half progressed the penalty count began to swing in their favour too.
In the 29th minute of the half, they were able to extend their lead as the result of a fine handling phase of play involving both forwards and backs, which ended with Dejager getting the touchdown on the left for 18-12.
Phillips’ conversion just missed to the left of the posts, which meant Banbury remained only a converted try away from nipping back into the lead.
Memories of Derby’s last-gasp comeback last week were all too fresh but this time there was to be no repeat and Burton held on for a deserved win.
They still slipped a place to seventh in the congested middle of the table, although they have a game in hand on Syston, who are level on points, and will play that at home to Kenilworth on Saturday.
They could rise to fourth if results go their way.