AEI demonstrated what an excess of Christmas pudding and lack of exercise can do and they produced easily their worst performance of the season.
An early AEI try flattered to deceive, although Rich Pinks did well to pick up a speculative kick from Mark McDonough and release Tim Udall to score. However, the remainder of the first half was notable only for two Burbage penalties and the loss of flying winger Nick Hayward, who sustained a head injury requiring 9 stitches while making a “fine, try-saving” tackle.
Constant second half pressure led to three tries and a drop goal for Burbage, yet AEI managed to leave the worst til last. Whilst on a late attack in the Burbage 22, flanker Chris Hague unbelievably managed to kick the ball backwards enabling Burbage to run through and score a fourth try. AEI completed a hat-trick of players visiting casualty with Gary Storer (ear) and Terry Bott (eye) doing their bit for NHS waiting lists.