Viking horde helps side prepare

BURBAGE RFC hosted Sileby Vikings in an all club trial game at the weekend in preparation for the new season.

With a number of new signings at each club, the 120-minute game was a chance to give all players a chance to showcase their skills.

Sileby struck first and went 7-0 up, but Burbage responded quickly with a try through Prop Tommy Childs.

The backs and forwards linked up to move the ball well and Burbage found themselves camped on Sileby’s five-metre line.

Stand-in scrum half and utility player, Harry Bowler, spun the ball out on the blindside to Childs, who used nimble footwork, a burst of pace and strength to score in the corner.

A touchline conversion from Charles Ladbury put the scores level.

The game continued to be evenly matched, before Burbage went a player down when centre Mike Allen was booked for lifting a player off his feet, causing a fracas between the two sides.

Sileby took advantage of their extra man and kicked to the corner and set up a rolling maul, which the man at the back broke off and snuck over the line untouched.

They missed the conversion to leave the score on 12-7 to Sileby.

Allen entered the fray after a 10 minute break and Burbage soon got back on top.

Another prop got on the scoresheet when Ralph Mitchell, who was excellent all game in attack and defence, burrowed over from close range.

Burbage missed the conversion to leave the score on 12-12.

The visitors came back once again, scoring a converted try to take the lead 19-12.

Burbage had rung the changes, but were still well in the game and continued to bombard the Sileby defence.

Veteran fly-half Ian Atkinson threw a big dummy and used a quick burst of pace to score a try, converted by Andrew Eggington.

Just as Sileby were tiring and Burbage were firing on all cylinders, the weather took a turn for the worse and the referee decided to call the game off after 63 minutes.

The season starts this weekend when Burbage play Old Newtonians away, while Burbage Titans host Atherstone. HEAVY rain thwarted Hinckley Town’s attempts to climb out of the relegation zone at the weekend.

Hinckley reduced fifthplaced Syston Town to 105 all out in the 32nd over with some impressive bowling.

But before the visitors could capitalise on the low score, downpours ensured