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02/03/08

Burntwood U17s won their Midland quarter final of the National Plate competition after an enthralling game at The Sportsway against Bridgnorth. In a tense finish they edged home 22-17.
With the wind at their backs in the first half, they needed a healthy lead to take into the second half but it was Bridgnorth who made the better start, using their big forwards to test the home defence.
The pressure was relieved by Matt Wood’s fine touch kicking. Given good field position, the ball was worked out to winger Scot Slater who rounded his man for the first try.
Back came Bridgnorth but they were restricted to a penalty attempt which was missed. In only their second attack, Burntwood scored again. Russ Lingwood took a switch pass and then threw a dummy to score near the corner. Wood added a fine conversion and then kicked a penalty for a 15 point lead.
It was cut to 12 points when the visitors converted a penalty close to half time. When they mauled their way over for a converted try early in the second period it looked odds on the Shropshire side progressing in the competition.
However, Burntwood worked their way out of defence superbly up to halfway to score a crucial try. Wood received good possession, slipped through a gap and then went round behind the posts for a try which he also converted.
Bridgnorth set up a nail-biting last 8 minutes when their forwards rumbled over for another converted try but Burntwood managed to turn the ball over through Andrew Miles when the visitors were going for another maul over the line.
Josh Bayliss was impressive in the loose play and Miles was the pick of the tight forwards.

Burntwood U15s travelled to play a mixed U15s and U16s at Handsworth and returned with a 31-15 win following an excellent performance.
Mitch Carless opened the scoring with a penalty. His kicking proved the difference in the first half. Each side scored 3 tries but Handsworth’s went unconverted whilst Carless kicked 3 out of 3.
Dan Thornton scored 2 and sandwiched in between was one by Luke Briggs.
The second half was a tetchy affair but Burntwood kept their cool well and once things settled down, Jack Southwell scored his first try for the club, again converted by Carless.

Burntwood U12s overcame the windy conditions at home to Uttoxeter to win 15-7. They stuck to their task well to turn in an excellent all round performance.
They ran the ball well despite the conditions and breaks by Rhys Thomas and debutant Ross McWalter were a feature of the first half. However, it was scrum half Dylan Webber who opened the scoring with a try.
Uttoxeter responded with a converted try but Sean Latham put Burntwood back into the lead with a good drive to the line.
Luke James almost increased the lead but lost control of the ball in the act of scoring and then Thomas was over the line but held up.
It was left to Harry Davison to secure the win with a trademark charging run to the line. Thanks to several players who were loaned to Uttoxeter to make up their numbers.



 

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