BURTON under-16s suffered a third successive home defeat to Nuneaton, but kept the score below recent clashes in this hastily-arranged friendly fixture.
Max McKendrick was straight into the thick of the action, taking down Nuneaton’s big centre, but two minutes later the same player broke through a couple of tackles and off-loaded to his scrum half, who ran in the first try.
Burton were momentarily stunned but launched their first attack through Ben Whitehouse, using his towering frame to drive forward.
However, after another missed tackle in midfield, Nuneaton’s flying winger broke free and ran in a try from 30 metres out.
In a foray forward, Sam Valentine broke free down the right only for the referee to bring play back for an infringement by the visitors.
A scrum was awarded and the tight five of Josh Shaw, Abe Furner, Adam Dolman, Curtis Marshall and Ryan Welsford had an almighty shove, but Nuneaton had a large well drilled pack.
Nuneaton were dealing with the conditions better and soon scored another try, as cold hands, half-hearted challenges and players playing in different positions all contributed to a lack lustre first half performance.
The second half begun with Josh Greenwood coming into the mix and making an instant impact with play more suited to the tricky conditions.
Burton started to retain possession in the breakdown and kept players closer to ensure the slippery ball did not have to travel too far.
Nuneaton were still playing some great rugby and another try by the visitor’s was scored when the pacey wingers slipped through out wide.
Max Williams made a break in midfield and when he was tackled, Harry Pickett chipped it downfield when Tom Benjamin and Ben Hulland raced onto it.
Hulland hacked it forward and Pickett raced through and touched down the loose ball to score a deserved try. Benjamin’s conversion from out wide was just short.
However, Nuneaton came back with two more quick tries as Burton celebrated getting on the scoresheet.
Sheridan Cole dived onto a loose ball to start the move for the last try of the day as the greasy ball moved through hands before Hulland drove for the line and off-loaded to Benjamin, who was on hand to finish.
