Crofters told to play smart in away test
PATIENCE will be key for Burton tomorrow as they travel to face Oundle in Regional 1 Midlands (2.15pm).
The Crofters have happy memories of the last meeting between the two teams, when Oundle were defeated 27-10 at Battlestead Croft in September.
And Burton will travel in high spirits tomorrow after a fine 47-19 home victory against county rivals Lichfield last Saturday.
That match was under control by half-time as the Crofters established a 32-0 lead but head coach Harry Titley is expecting tomorrow’s game to go the distance.
“A lot can change over the course of the season so there’s only so much we can take from our last game against Oundle,” said Titley.
“At their place they have quite a narrow pitch and have some big lads up front, so our usual approach of using the width might not be as appropriate this week.
“We know that if we do want to be successful out wide then we have to be really clever how we fix their defence and hold their defenders in to enable us to exploit some space out wide.
“We have to be quite clever in how we approach this one.
“The boys are in great spirits and we know if we are going to win this game it is going to be in the last 20 minutes.
“We have to make sure that we keep our patience and try to control the game.
“We need to make sure our fitness shows in the last 20 minutes because it’s not going to be won in the first 20.”
Oundle have won their last two home games and are four places and six points behind the Crofters, having won one game fewer.
Regional 1 Midlands has been a very competitive division this season and a lot of teams swapped places following last weekend’s results, with Burton moving up the table.
And Titley knows his team will have to be on their guard tomorrow to make sure they don’t slip in the standings.
“Oundle will target this home game as one to win,” he added.
“They have a really good clubhouse and great support.
“They’re a traditional type of rugby club and will be looking to really please their home fans.”