Burton Under 15`s travelled to Stoke RFC to play NEWCASTLE RFC in the 2012 Staffordshire County Bowl Final.

SQUAD LIST

Benjamin, Cole, Dealtry, Dingley, Dolman, Finney, Furner, Greenwood, Howlett, Hulland, Marshall, Mason, McKendrick, Mycock, Pickett, Roden, Shaw, Thorman,Valentine, Whitehouse, Williams.

STARTING LINE-UP

1. Loose Head Prop – Josh Shaw
2. Hooker – Max McKendrick
3. Tight Head Prop – Ben Howlett
4. 2nd Row – Ben Hulland
5. 2nd Row – Curtis Marshall
6. Blind Side Flanker – Joe Mycock
7. Open Side Flanker – Max Williams
8. Number 8 – Ben Whitehouse
9. Scrum Half – Alex Finney
10. Fly Half – Tom Benjamin
11. Left Wing – Sheridan Cole
12. Inside Centre – Sam Valentine
13. Outside Centre – Harry Pickett (Captain)
14. Right Wing – Taylor Dingley
15. Full Back – Lewis Mason

MATCH REPORT

To ensure that The Bowl Final would be a competitive fixture, Burton agreed to put back the fixture for an additional week to allow Newcastle to field a full strength side.

Out of 10 County fixtures, both teams had records of 9 victories & 1 draw. The draw being played out between the 2 sides back in December.

Burton elected to kick off into the sunshine. Benjamin kicked the ball high down field. Newcastle play a tight forwards orientated game but were rocked back on their heels when Valentine put a crunching tackle to set the standard for the game. For the first 10 minutes of this final was played on the half way line, backwards & forwards, with both packs fronting up. The tight five of Shaw, McKendrick, Howlett, Hulland & Marshall all played their part in ensuring that their bigger counter-parts weren’t given an inch without a fight. However penalties were being conceded consistently for minor infringements. Newcastle’s one kick came up just short.

When Newcastle’s big centre did manage to break through, Mason was on hand with a brilliant tackle to keep the game level. On 20 mins Pickett made a break but was tackled on half way. Finney’s ball distribution was quickened up with a pass to Cole who took the ball from wide on the left & brought it into a central position to set-up a platform. Benjamin then made a half break to get within the 10. Williams picked & go to get it to within the 22. As Williams was tackled, he off loaded to the rampaging Whitehouse who drove it on to within 5 metres of the line. With 3 players hanging off him, Whitehouse managed to pass to the supporting Mycock to ran in the first score of the day under the posts. The supporter’s were jubilant with the effective phase play that got the crofter’s in front. Valentine stepped up & slotted his conversion straight through the posts.

Burton were on the up & easily matched the Newcastle forwards whom were pounding away phase after phase. As the first half continued, Burton moved up a gear. The play was camped in Newcastle’s half & Burton had an opportunity to extend the lead. Burton had the ball 5 metres out & had several phases to convert. The Crofter’s got drawn in instead of going left & the opportunity was gone. Newcastle kicked the ball down field where Mason & Benjamin went for the same ball, collided & had a clash of heads. The half time whistle blew immediately with the score Newcastle 0 – 7 Burton.

NEWCASTLE 0 – 7 BURTON (Try – Mycock, Con – Valentine)

The 2nd half begun with Roden coming on for the injured Benjamin. Newcastle came out the blocks a lot quicker & after 1 minute, a penalty was conceded by Burton & was successfully converted by their kicker. Game on.

Newcastle were playing with greater intensity & the break had slowed Burton’s momentum. The snappiness in the tackle was not there from The Crofter’s. The one bright spark for Burton was the lineout. McKendrick’s throwing & Whitehouse catching/knock back off the top worked well throughout. Whitehouse was also dominant on Newcastle’s throw brilliant winning ball time & time again to cap a magnificent all round display.

However, several missed tackles in mid-field led to an opening for Newcastle & they drove over the line to take the lead. The conversion was missed to leave the scores 8 – 7.

Burton had to raise their game. Dingley had a run on the outside but was tackled on half way. Greenwood came on to give some extra strength up front & was lethal with ball in hand. Dealtry & Thorman came into the mix to sure things up & both made an impact. With moments remaining, Burton had one last foray into Newcastle’s territory. Benjamin was back into the fold. With all of his flair, he chipped the ball over & led a foray deep into Newcastle’s territory but was tackled within the 22. A scrum resulted & Furner raced into the action but it was too late. The final whistle blew & the game was over. Newcastle 8 – 7 Burton.

NEWCASTLE 8 – 7 BURTON (Try – Mycock, Con – Valentine)

This age group has waited until U15’s to reach their first final. The experienced gained today will live long in memories & bode well in developing all in future careers

The Coaching Team would like to thank Danny Bowles, Jacob Brown, Adam Dolman & Tai Fellows who all attended & assisted in today’s fixture. Well done all!