Busy Weekend For Broadstreet RFC.
Broadstreet Firsts Head To Burton RFC Who Celebrate Their 140th Anniversary This Week.
On Saturday Broadstreet RFC First team visit our old friends, newly promoted Burton RFC at their imposing Peel Croft Stadium. Always competitive, but also very hospitable, Burton celebrate their 140th anniversary this week, having been established on 5thOctober 1870 at the Swan Hotel. Congratulations!
We haven't played Burton in the league since the 2000-1 season when high-riding Street comfortably won at home in November 39-0 and travelled to Peel Croft for the return on 6th January with The Crofters firmly entrenched at the foot of the table. Having opened up a 22-0 lead in the first half, our Treasurer said to me "You watch this, we'll put fifty points past them today". Needless to say moments later, our Blindside Flanker Richard 'Chappie' Chaplin received the ball in splendid isolation just inside our 22 and inexplicably decided to show us his complete range of rugby skills by deciding to kick ahead. He lobbed the ball forward in the air aiming to kick it with his right foot, only to find that he'd thrown it so high, the Burton centre easily snatched it before Chappie’s boot got anywhere near. The centre touched down under the posts for a converted try and a further 22 unanswered points later, Street had lost 22-29. Just goes to prove that Treasurers should stick to what they know best.
Also featuring in the game that day were, for the Street Andy 'Tetley' Tee, Matty 'Bubba' Dearden & Eddie 'Seventy' Simkissand for Burton, John Philliskirk, Jono Edwards & Rob Wakelin, all six of whom have featured regularly this season, ten years on. Burton were eventually relegated to Level Six, while the Street finished fourth.
On their way to the Midlands One West Title in last season's 2009-10 campaign, the Crofters scored 130 tries of which 73 were converted along with 22 penalty goals plus one drop goal, to make a grand total of 865 points for, while conceding only 244. The result of all these points gave Burton a league playing record for the season of 21 wins, one draw and only two defeats. Top try scorer was Dan Smith with 22 tries, while another three players scored more than 10 tries each. Tom Bartram amassed a total 246 points from tries, conversions, drop and penalty goals.
We might well be facing ex-Broadstreet M&J player Craig Dutton whose father John, a Copsewood lad who moved to Leicestershire, switched him to Hinckley RFC at a tender age to reduce travel commitments. Craig eventually developed into fine Inside Centre with Nuneaton RFC, where he played with distinction in the early to mid noughties. In the twilight of his career, Craig is now listed as a Number 8, but frequently pops up in his original position using his physique and skill-set to the full.
The fact that all of Burton's tries this season have come from their backs and half-backs could give the impression that this is their only strength, but far from it, the pack is a strong point and has been the foundation from which the backs have struck with good effect. Interestingly, most of the Crofter’s tries have come in the fourth quarter.
Burton have been involved in what can only be described as incredibly close matches so far this season with margins of -5, +7, -3, +2, +3. Last Saturday's triumph away at Sheffield Tigers RUFC was achieved despite being down to thirteen men when two yellow cards were issued to the Pack in quick succession in the second quarter, with worse to come when they went down to fourteen men for the fourth quarter with a straight red issued to the Scrum Half.
For Street's First Team selection considerations click here.
Street Seconds
By virtue of a resounding 57-19 victory over Derby RFC Seconds on Saturday, Broadstreet RFC Seconds immediately tuck into second place in the Midland Invitation League, behind Hinckley RFC and with a game in hand. Street are due to travel to face the leaders Hinckley at Leicester Road on 16th October, but before then have date with Earlsdon RFC Seconds in the Warwickshire Second Team Cup. At the time of going to press, the match had still to be confirmed for Saturday 9th with a 3:00pm kick-off. Street will visit Mitchell Avenue, Canley this weekend confident that the squad will put up a good showing, particularly with the emergence of some exciting new talent from the Colts and a number of close season signings adding strength in depth in many positions. If selected, Chris ‘Ziggy’ Zutic can expect a ‘warm’ welcome from his former club colleagues, having signed this summer from the Mitchell Avenue outfit.
Street Thirds
With Broadstreet RFC Thirds having edged out Newbold RFC Seconds 19-17 at Parkfield at the weekend, Street have retained top position in Warwickshire League 1 and have also widened the gap to the second-placed side. Having had just a small points difference of six over Stratford RFC, who lost at the weekend against Old Laurentians RFC, with Old Laurents themselves taking over second spot, the Street now have a 27 points’ difference advantage. Street and Old Laurents are the only undefeated sides in the division and are due to go head-to-head at Ivor Preece Field on 13th November. In the meantime the Thirds will honour a Second Team fixture against Dudley Kingswinford RFC at Swindon Road, Wall Heath this Saturday. In preparation for this game Manager John Brown has introduced some novel training. The game is scheduled for 3:00pm.
Street Fourths
Broadstreet RFC Fourths, still looking for additional players to bolster the ranks Interested?, will be the only Street team playing at home this weekend when taking on Trinity Guild RFC Seconds at the Ivor Preece Field. Kick-off 3:00pm. If you're hesitant about playing for us, why not come along anyway to have a pint and check us out?
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