Excerpt from The Trader Jan 18th 1996
Champions Elect
The Miles brothers, Garry and Dave, led by example as unbeaten Burntwood rose to the physical challenge of Rugby Welsh to earn the points which put them a step closer to promotion.
They produced the goods when it mattered most as determined Burntwood raised their game to overcome the advantage of the oppositions heavier pack.
Mark Wager and Dave Carlyle were also in good form as Burntwood maintained their 100% record with a 15-0 result and now have a great chance of taking the Staffs/Warwick's Division 2 title.
Although Rugby Welsh had a couple of early penalties which went begging, most of the play was in the midfield. but there was plenty of aggression which prompted a few flare ups.
John Bayliss broke the deadlock with a penalty which went over via a post.
The first try came from a move which started after possession had been won by Jimmy Wright's ankle tap tackle. Ian Harris, John Bayliss, skipper Martin Smith and James Holmes were all involved before No8 Paul Rogers drew the last defender and presented the try scoring opportunity for Michael Bayliss.
His namesake, John, converted the try to give Burntwood a 10-0 interval scoreline.
Garry Miles thought he had scored only for the referee to adjudge the ball not grounded but the vital score was not long in coming, again from a move featuring several pairs of hands.
John Bayliss gathered the ball and switched play with a kick to the right wing, Smith collected and fed Rogers who kicked ahead and although there was an apparent obstruction the referee played advantage, giving Wright the chance to drop on the ball and make it 15-0.
Ton up.......Burntwood seconds passed the 100 tries for the season milestone when they piled up 15 in an 83-0 annihilation of Rugby Welsh seconds. Daniel Black (4), Cliff Prosser (3) and Mark Jarrett (2) led the rout with Mark Richardson, Steve Roberts, Mark Bourne, Richard Massey, Martin Jones and prop forward Gary Williams - his first try since moving to Burntwood from Old Oaks- got in the act. Cliff Prosser(3) and Daniel Black(1) added the conversions.
Man of the match Dave Jarrett scored a try in Burntwood thirds 20-12 defeat of GEC St. Leonards. Cris Horobin and Kevin Worrell also went over with Gordon Thompson kicking a conversion and a penalty.
Julian Harper scored a try as Burntwood fourths, back to the wall at the start, came back well against Michelin at Stoke. despite eventually going down 8-5 they emerged with a moral victory, having expected to play Michelin seconds but ran out against their first team.
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