Burley II vs Old Brods IV
24th November 2007
1 Kelvin Crooks 2 Tom Barnes 3 Matt Morgan
4 Mike Taylor 5 Mike Ward
6 Matt Bradley 7 Brendon Cowy 8 Jim Griffin
9 Jonny Baker
10 Adam Davies
11 Danny Morell 12 Frasier Stuart 13 Gav Leeman 14 Karl Haywood
15 Andy Jones
The Bench
17 Alex Gerrard 18 Tim Betts 16 Duncan Elsey 19 Robbie Bourne 20 Chris Doors
21 Jamie Cheque 22 Aaron Ralph
Referee Mr J.Parker
H-T 24-3 F-T 45-8 M.O.M. Adam Davies.
On what was not the most pleasant of afternoons, cold with a threat of rain Burley took the field on the back of improving performances of the last two weeks. The usual amount of team changes which saw the return to action of Mike Taylor in the second row and Robbie Bourne on the bench. Old Brods were short and to their credit had rang earlier to sort things out. This was done as two volunteers took the field in an Old Brods side that also included former Burley coach Peter Millar.
From the kick off it was immediately apparent that if Burley could move the ball out to the backs, then a victory would be on the cards as youth had the better of the legs against the vets. The forwards started off playing a sensible rucking game taking the ball to ground providing a good platform for Jonny Baker to distribute from. He had a willing ally in Adam Davies who spread things further in what was almost a master class display of running from off half. Gav Leeman was first to benefit as the ball was initially moved out then back inside for him to go over besides the posts. A conversion gave a 7-0 lead. When Old Brods had the ball the tried to go forward through the maul, this was well held and occasionally robbed by the Burley forwards. Further possession saw another move through the backs with Andy Jones (our new Welsh fullback who can play- Not the other one who thought he could) taking a ball through two tacklers for a touchdown. This time no conversion so 12-0. Scrummaging in statistics was reasonably even, however the Old Brods loose head had an interesting technique in lifting his drive and boring in on Burley tight head Kel Crooks. This made things very uncomfortable for his own hooker. The Lineouts were going in Burleys favour so it was no surprise when after further good work from the pack Gav went in for his second try in somewhat similar fashion to his first, converted to give a comfortable 19-0 lead. Following this score Old Brods picked up and had a good spell resulting in a penalty which they elected to kick and remove the nil from the scoreline. 19-3. Burley got back on top and moved the ball to the right after more excellent play from stand off Adam Davies allowing Karl Hayward to go in at the corner. 24-3. An entertaining first half with Burley scoring four tries to nil up the hill against a more experienced team.
The half time brought a number of changes with Adam Davies coming off to allow Tim Betts to take over at Off Half and Robbie Bourne entering the fray at loose head prop in place of Matt Morgan amongst the six changes used. The team gelled in good time and a score was soon added as after more good work in the pack a ball came lose for Jonny Baker to drop on over the line and another conversion from winger Danny Morell taking the score to 31-3. Burley continued to press down the hill and soon had a score for the forwards from an Old Brods scrum. A strike by Brods hooker coming out through their rightside flank and Alex Gerrard in true opportunist fashion falling on the ball under the sticks to give Danny his fourth conversion score of the game and a Burley a 38-3 lead. From here the game got a little scrappy as Old Brods became increasingly frustrated and brought one or two less savoury things into the game, not all spotted by the referee. The game was dragged back into a game of rugby and Burley made their final substitution with Kelvin Crooks after a stalwart game in the front row giving way to Duncan Elsey. As Burley made the substitution the Old Brods hooker announced that he could only carry on if the scrums went non-contested. This was a result his colleagues technique. As the game was drawing to a close Burley scored their final points when Karl Hayward, who had been denied earlier when a pass was judged just to be forward, completed his brace following some short quick passing in the middle, this time for Tim Betts to add the extras giving a lead of 45-3. This lead should have been held, however in running a penalty from their own 15 yards Burley spilled the ball and conceded a late try for the game to end 45-8.
Overall, a good game and a much needed victory. A superb running first half game led by stand off Adam Davies earning him the man of the match award. Thanks to the referee Mr John Parker and to the lads who took the field for Old Brods.