Rugby Welsh 8 Burbage 31
Midlands 5 West (South)
RUGBY UNION: A FIXTURE between two evenly matched sides was overcome in controversy after the referee missed an incident which left James Buckland needing stitches as Midlands 5 West (South) leaders Burbage got the better of Rugby Welsh.
Welsh started confidently with their forwards going through several sets of phases, but to Burbage’s credit they defended well.
Then less than ten minutes into the game Welsh were incensed by an off the ball incident, unseen by the referee, which left influential fly half Buckland leaving the field with facial injuries, requiring several stitches.
Although Angus Wilson kicked a subsequent penalty Welsh were left to reorganise their side whilst the Burbage player involved went on to play a key part in his team’s victory.
Burbage began to take control of proceedings and the well organised outfit proved why they are challenging for promotion with two quick tries, one of which was converted.
The signs looked ominous for Welsh when replacement Jamie Cranham was forced off with a knee injury leaving them with just 14 players for the rest of the contest.
To their credit they responded well and reduced the deficit shortly before half-time when Jack Taylor charged down a kick and scored a well taken opportunist try in the corner.
The second half saw Welsh trying to stay in the game with Andy Higham as always at the heart of the defensive effort but the Burbage backs continued to cause Welsh problems which helped to create two further tries.
With 20 minutes left Welsh again felt aggrieved when they were reduced to 13 players when, following an altercation on the touchline involving both teams, one of their players who had been previously sin-binned was sent off.
The challenge was now huge for Welsh but they kept going, conceding only one further converted try despite the absence of players.
Welsh now take a week off and will hope that the multiple injury list will improve before their next league contest.
