Crofters keen to get over a tough loss on road trip
BURTON aim to increase the gap between themselves and the team immediately below them when they travel to face Bournville in the Midlands Premier tomorrow (3pm).
They can hit the road with optimism, too, thanks to memories of a 29-19 home win against tomorrow’s opponents in September, the Crofters’ first victory of the campaign.
And team manager Jono Edwards says the players are in determined mood, despite a frustrating 36-30 home defeat by Sheffield last Saturday.
The Crofters led by a point with 10 minutes remaining but could not prevent sixth-placed Sheffield from snatching the win in the closing stages.
“Everyone was quite rightly disappointed after the defeat against Sheffield,” said Edwards.
“Looking back at the last play of the game we didn’t do much wrong. We had to drop out and give them the ball back, so in the end fair play to Sheffield for being clinical and getting the win.
“But we must take the positives. We secured two bonus points and more importantly we are competing each week and making chances.
“Our defence can tighten up and, of course, our decision-making can also be questioned at times.
“But I’ve been really impressed with the resolve the whole club is showing and we move on to the next game.
“We are not thinking about what could have been and how unlucky we were but how important the next game is.”
Head coach Ricky Whitehall has plenty of options to consider for tomorrow’s game.
Nick Oxley has been sidelined with an injury but he played for the A XV last week and impressed to put himself in contention for tomorrow’s game.
Second row Ken Archer is doubtful, though, and if he does feature at all it will be for the A XV as he improves his fitness levels.
Burton are four points ahead of Bournville, who occupy the third and final relegation spot.
Bournville have moved ground and now play on an artificial grass pitch, which should suit Burton’s style of play.
Playing on artificial surfaces last season was a happy experience for the Crofters, as they averaged over 50 points a game against Melbourne and Stourbridge Lions. This season, they also thumped Derby on their AGP in October.
The Crofters will be looking to extend Bournville’s current poor run as they have lost eight on the trot.
With second-from-bottom Doncaster Phoenix and basement side Syston playing high-flying Scunthorpe and Newport respectively, a win for the Crofters tomorrow could create a 10-point gap between them and the bottom three.
Of course, there’s also the danger that a Bournville win could see them leapfrog the Crofters as the battle for survival intensifies.
Burton’s A XV are at home to Towcestrians tomorrow, while the Development XV travel to Walsall. Both games kick off at 2.15 pm.