Trio back in frame but Lelo ruled out
FORMER skipper Matt Titley returns for Burton’s home game against Nuneaton in the Midlands Premier tomorrow (2.15pm).
Tight head prop Matt Tivey and Lewis Sturgess are also in the frame again but the Crofters have suffered a big blow as South African back row Lelo Gemashe is out after breaking a hand.
Tomorrow’s game is a chance for Burton to gain ground on their visitors, who are five points above them in the table.
Defeat away to second-placed Newport (Salop) last Saturday kept the Crofters in the bottom three.
But that was another frustrating defeat for the Crofters, who led 16-15 at half-time and 28-22 at one stage in the second half, as their own mistakes undermined them.
The challenge now for the Burton coaching team is to get rid of these unforced errors and turn close defeats into wins.
“I have commented before on how unforgiving this league is and all mistakes get punished,” said team manager Jono Edwards.
“It does not matter how many chances you create yourselves and how much territory you have. If you make mistakes and hand your opponents easy scores you are going to make life difficult for yourself.
“We need a win on Saturday to instill some confidence and we have a great opportunity at home against Nuneaton, who have been a bit up and down this season.
“Let’s hope we can catch them on an off day”.
Burton against Nuneaton is one of the oldest rugby union fixtures in the Midlands. Before the introduction of league rugby, it was always played on the first Wednesday of the season under floodlights.
Nuneaton have one more win (five) than Burton and have notable victories against Newport (30-22) and Luctonians away (13-12) under their belt.
But, like Burton, they have lost their last two games.
A win for the Crofters would put them back in the mid-table mix before a difficult trip to face leaders Scunthorpe in their final game of the year on December 15.
Burton’s backs coach Tom Barlow may decide to freshen up his attacking options, with Dale Koopman and Lewis Brooks competing for the final starting spot on the wing.
The A XV travel to play Nuneaton after last week’s game against Newport was postponed.
Despite not playing, Burton are still third, two points ahead of Broadstreet in fourth but 10 points adrift of joint leaders Luctonians and Hinckley.
The Development XV are at home to Uttoxeter 2nds and will be looking for their fourth win in a row.