Plenty to cheer as Crofters sign off against Sandbach
IT WILL be a day of celebration at Peel Croft tomorrow when Burton play their final Midlands Premier game of the campaign against Sandbach (3pm).
For the first time, the Crofters have managed to stay up at this level. All previous campaigns at level five have finished with them going straight back down.
Their safety was virtually assured when they beat Newport (Salop) a fortnight ago before being confirmed in the away win against Nuneaton last Saturday.
And the Crofters take extra pride from the amount of homegrown players in their squad this season.
Of the 41 players who have played 1st XV rugby this season, 24 have come through the Burton ranks.
Team manager Jono Edwards said: “I for one know how difficult it is to compete and survive at this level, having tried myself and failed in my playing days.
“You can also argue that this level is now even more difficult and competitive.
“Before, we were always there or thereabouts but never could get over the line. This group of players has the X factor and part of the appeal for me to get involved with the team management was to try and achieve something I failed to achieve as a player.
“The players have allowed me to experience the highs and lows of the season and the plaudits they are now receiving are very much deserved.
“It has been great to be involved and share it with them.”
Burton are eighth going into the final game of the season and could finish one place higher by beating Sandbach tomorrow.
There will be one enforced change in the home team as Argentinian fly-half Florin Llarena is ruled out with an arm injury. Burton will look to the future by giving a start to 19-year-old Jamie Dutton at 10, while Alberto Mullarcah returns on the bench. The Minorcan has been ruled out by injury this season until now.