Crofters pay price for errors in home defeat
TOO many mistakes undermined Burton as they fell to a 32-24 home defeat against Luctonians in the Midlands Premier.
It was close at half-time, with the Crofters trailing 24-17, but the visitors pulled away in the second half.
It was always expected to be a tough match, however, against opponents who had spent the previous eight seasons in National League Two and who have enjoyed some high-scoring wins since their relegation.
Luctonians kicked a penalty to open the scoring but Burton took the lead when their forwards carried the ball into the visitors’ 22 before number eight Lelo Gemashe crashed over for a unconverted try.
Burton had gained some ascendency in the set scrums, so it was disappointing to concede a try from a scrum on the Luctonians five metre line.
With his scrum going backwards, the visitors’ number eight picked up the ball and made a break on the blind side.
He ran almost the whole length of the pitch before passing to Luctonians winger Josh Watkins who scored, Sam Boxhall converting for a 10-5 lead.
A Burton error led to Luctonians’ next try. Crofters’ full-back Will Simpson gathered the ball from a kick and started to run it back but passed straight to an opponent.
The visitors moved the ball quickly before Watkins scored his second try, Boxhall kicking the extras.
Another converted try, Mat Hackley touching down, made it 24-5 but Burton rallied.
They won a penalty which took them up to the Luctonians’ five metre line. Lock Joe Gazzard won the ball and crashed through the line to score close to the corner, although Simpson was unable to convert.
The home team’s confidence seemed to grow after this try and they were awarded another penalty.
They again won the line-out ball and, after the forwards had taken it on, they passed it along the line to centre Josh Kent, who scored under the posts.
Simpson converted and a converted try was the difference between the two teams at the break.
From the restart, Burton pressed again.
Expectations were high when they were awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner. However, this was the first time in the match that their lineout did not work properly and the visitors were able to clear.
Luctonians strengthened their grip on the contest when they scored on their first visit to the Burton 22.
They won the ball from a scrum and Boxhall made an excellent loop move to score an unconverted try.
In their eagerness to get hold of the ball, Burton committed a series of offences at the breakdown, one of which was only a couple of metres inside their own half. Boxhall slotted the ball over the posts for another three points.
Burton continued to press but found it difficult to penetrate the visitors’ excellent defence.
However, when they got to the Luctonians’ 22 metre line Gazzard found himself in the centre. Showing the skill of a fly-half, he kicked the ball through and then chased his own kick to score his second try of the afternoon, securing at least a try bonus point. With a good kick, almost from the touchline, Simpson converted.
Burton pushed for a losing bonus point but ran out of time.