East Retford 7 - 46 Burley
T: Naylor 2, Parsons, Clegg, Millar, Cuthbert, Schmidt, Peel.
Conv. Roberts 3
22nd August 2009
Burley's first competitive 15-a side game of the season gave plenty of food for thought as
they comprehensively outplayed an East Retford side who, while short on attacking flair
were lacking nothing in terms of physicality and enthusiasm. More than twenty players
made the trip, everyone playing two sessions of 30mins (with the exception of Palfrey-
Smith who played all three) and the competition for places will likely leave new coach
Mark Walton scratching his head when selecting a 1st and 2nd XV in future.
The game was played in glorious sunshine on a pitch which had evidently not seen a
mower for some time, and from the kick off Burley set about imposing themselves on
their opponents. Much of the first period was spent in the Retford half, with Burley's
forwards controlling the scrums in particular and turning several against the head.
Retford resisted gamely for ten minutes before the first try, which came from a fine
move by Pearson and Parsons down the left wing. Taking the pass from Pearson, the
winger feigned indecision to draw the opposition 14 before releasing Pearson again down
the touchline. Pearson beat three tacklers and drew the fullback before slipping the ball
back to Parsons, who crossed the line with a slightly over-exuberant dive for a well
worked try. Roberts struggled with the conversions for much of the day, not being helped
by having to kick out of several inches of grass. Burley were soon on the attack again on
the opposite side this time, when a series of passes found debutante Rigg. The stocky
winger burst through the Retford line and was only brought down by a brave tackle from
the fullback. Crucially Rigg was able to stay on his feet for some time, which meant the
forwards could arrive in numbers and set up a drive. The momentum carried Burley into
the corner where Clegg was able to cross for the second try, Roberts again failing with
the conversion.
Retford had been hit hard early on but were in no mood to roll over, and there followed
a period of defence for Burley as they were pushed back towards their own line. Retford
used their big pack to maul the Maroons down field, and only a determined defensive
effort kept them out, Wider and Pinder in particular throwing themselves into the
action. Retford eventually infringed at the breakdown, allowing Roberts to clear the
lines with a huge touch kick. While Burley's line remained intact, their hosts had
signalled that they were not to be taken lightly. The Maroons responded in great fashion,
battering their way back down the field to Retford's end, with Cuthbert and Palfrey-
Smith leading the charge on attack. Burley's third and final try of the period came after
the forwards again secured a good position and Roberts was able to release the backs.
Bisson, playing at 12 was able to create space for the outside backs, and a scything
break set up Millar to cross the line for a superb long distance try, making it 15-0. The
try was marred slightly by a bout of fisticuffs in the background, as Wider took exception
to a late hit on Roberts and decided to give the culprit a piece of his mind/fists. This
was the last action before the end of the period (the match was played in 3x 30mins)
and left Burley in a strong position, 15-0 to the good.
The second period was a far more even affair in terms of territory, with Retford
threatening the Burley line much more frequently. That Burley didn't concede in this
time is testament to their determination, Griffin in particular foiling a seemingly certain
try with an outstanding tackle. The changes made by Retford had the effect of
stabilising their previously fragile scrum, and with this problem rectified much of the
period was played in Burley's half. Cuthbert was his usual irritating self, earning much
abuse both verbal and physical from Retford for his constant presence and aggression.
Burley's task became somewhat harder when they lost Bisson to the sin bin, after the
referee contentiously decided the man from Somerset had used his hands in the ruck at
the side (Bisson, for his part, claimed the ball had actually shot out of the ruck and he
had merely scooped up a loose ball, a claim which seemed to have some merit). The
Maroons then achieved the feat of scoring two tries whilst down to 14 men, the first
when the excellent Naylor scooped up a loose pass from Leeman and rounded several
Retford players to score. The second came ten minutes later as Cuthbert got his reward
for an outstanding performance, crossing from close range after the forwards raided
deep into Retford territory. Roberts had now finally mastered the grass and converted
the latter try to put Burley 27-0 up as the game entered the final period.
Back at full strength for the last stanza, Burley set out to emphasise their dominance
thus far and received an unexpected boon when a Retford player was sin binned for
fighting with Clegg. The game had simmered throughout, with the aforementioned
handbags involving Wider the most notable flashpoint, but the referee had had enough
by this point. The bloodied Clegg bravely smothered himself in vaseline and played on,
but for Retford the numerical disadvantage was fatal as Burley scored two tries in ten
minutes.
Playing down the slight hill again, the visitors began to reassert themselves in the scrum
and the third period came to closely mirror the first. The first try came from a lineout
deep inside Retford territory, which was won cleanly by Palfrey-Smith and found its way
via fly-half Roberts to giant second row Schmidt, who forced his way over near the posts
from ten yards for an excellent forward's try. Roberts added the extras with ease. Burley
suffered a disappointing turn of events when Retford's scrum half sliced through their
defence to score a try and prevent what would have been a very satisfying nilling, but
soon struck back through Naylor, who is showing himself already to be a player of great
skill. A poor clearing kick from Retford only found the arms of Roberts, now at full back,
and the former 2nd XV captain chose to run with the ball, ghosting past several tacklers
to put the Retford defence in disarray. Roberts' pass found Naylor, who still had plenty to
do but forced his way through tackles and round defenders to the line, a try scored
almost by sheer will alone. Burley now closed out the game mostly in the opposition
half, and almost had another try when the ball was moved wide to Peel, who had
Parsons outside him but could have easily scored alone, had he been able to keep hold
of the ball. The veteran wing was not to be discouraged however, finally getting his
reward for a committed performance from an almost identical move, the difference
being that the ball stuck to his hands this time and he crossed in the corner. Roberts
added the conversion, taking the score to an emphatic 46-7. There was still time for
Burley to almost reach the half-century, but Pinder's charge from a lineout move was
stopped inches short by desperate Retford defence.
The win was a convincing one, and the scoreline accurately reflected the control Burley
had had throughout. Man of The Match was Tim Roberts for a confident performance at
fly half and later full back, although special mention must go to Richie Cuthbert who
was awesome at flanker; other good showings came from Jim Griffin, Henry Holman and
Martin 'Ziggy' Zielinski, who showed his class at fly half and created plenty of space for
the backs outside him. While this was a great way to start the season it is important the
lads do not get carried away just yet. Burley have two matches this coming week;
Wednesday sees the Maroons travel to Old Modernians, followed by a home fixture
against Roundhegians on the Saturday.
Burley squad vs East Retford (no particular order):
K. Hayward, G.Leeman, T.Roberts, M.Walton, K.Parsons, H.Bisson, H.Holman,
R.Cuthbert, A.Clegg, A.Wider, P.Pinder, T.Barnes, M.Peel, C.Naylor, D.Pearson, A.Benham,
L.Millar, J.Rigg, M.Zielinski, J.Palfrey-Smith, J.Griffin, R.Schmidt.