Excerpt from The Staffordshire Times April 18th 1996

Move Proves Inspirational

A move to new headquarters proved the inspiration for Burntwood to capture the Staffs/Warwick's Courage Division 3 Championship.

    The first XV lost only once on their way to the league title, while there was a success throughout the club as the seconds, thirds and fourths all enjoyed an impressive string of results.

    Burntwood's strength in depth, illustrated by the addition of a fourth team, is the main reason the club have great aspirations for the future.

    Chairman Dave Cowley said of the fruitful year: "We exceeded all expectations in terms of playing records, winning the championship and running our own bar."

    "Having a clubhouse of our own for the first time certainly seemed to inspire everyone involved at Burntwood and we are delighted with how things have worked out."

    Five years ago Burntwood were going nowhere, then were revamped under Cowley's leadership and progressed to the point where they have now won promotion. Next season should see them compete in the restructured Staffordshire Division 1, with further progression their target.

   Club captain Rob Forsyth explained: "Having done so well, winning the junior cup last season and the championship this year, we are looking to build on our success."

    "This season we were very well prepared and started the campaign well with a resounding win over unknown opposition, then kept the momentum going. We did not have to make too many team changes and insisted in playing attractive open rugby.

    "It was a shame we lost our one hundred percent record and were knocked out of the cup, but what we achieved by superb commitment on and off the field is tremendous."

    Burntwood's record of 10 wins, 261 points scored and only 60 conceded was the best in the division, and of 34 tries scored, Ian Harris registered eight, Mark Wilson scored six tries, while Stuart Allen finished as the top scorer with 61 points.

    The second XV won 23 of 28 matches, the thirds 19 of 25 games and the new fourth team recorded nine victories in 15 outings.

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