Old Halesonians 28 Burntwood 6
Midlands 4 West North
It was with some trepidation that Burntwood travelled to face the
runaway leaders of Midlands 4 West North. They shipped nearly 60 points
when the sides met at The Sportsway in September. However, they emerged
with a great deal of credit in this return fixture.
Living off scraps of possession, Burntwood spent much of the afternoon
in defence but they stuck to their task, particularly in the first half
when they also had to combat the strong wind in their faces and managed
to restrict the unbeaten league leaders to a solitary penalty goal.
Old Halesonians had their first kick at goal after just 5 minutes but it
went wide from 30 metres out. Good defence by the visitors was almost
undone 10 minutes later but when the home side worked the ball out to
the wing, a pass back inside was fumbled to cost a certain try.
Without skipper Graham Shelley and flanker Beau Hildick, the Burntwood
scrum was given a torrid time by the hosts all afternoon. They were
regularly pushed off their own ball to keep the pressure on but time and
again the crucial tackles were made, first by Steve Blockley in the
centre and then full back Matt Bray put in a real try-saver.
To some extent Old Halesonians were victims of their own ambition. On a
difficult day for handling they tried to move the ball wide but
frequently knocked on. When they resorted to the power of their pack to
go for a pushover try close to half time Lloyd Shelley came up with a
timely intervention to rescue his side.
It was only in the 3rd minute of added time that the home side finally
put points on the board – an easy penalty given for offside in front of
the posts.
Having taken 43 minutes to record their first score, the table-toppers
added a converted try within 2 minutes of the restart. They re-gathered
their own kick off to work their way upfield. The outside half made a
break and when stopped by Bray he popped the ball up to a supporting
flanker who went in under the posts.
Five minutes later, Shelley’s kick downfield forced an error which Rob
England almost capitalised on but he earned a penalty which Craig
Seedhouse kicked for 10-3.
Old Hales replied in kind 5 minutes later and then on the hour mark they
scored their 2nd try from a line out catch and drive at the 2nd time of
asking.
Seedhouse landed his 2nd penalty after 65 minutes but with 10 minutes to
go the home side mauled their way over in the corner.
They saved their best try till last. The ball went through several pairs
of hands left then right. England stopped the initial threat in the left
corner but the defence were outflanked on the right.
The last 5 minutes belonged to Burntwood. They camped in the home 22
with Mark Partridge, Rob England and Martyn Smith all going close to
force 5 metre scrums but they couldn’t force their way over for the
consolation try which their defensive effort had earned.
Martyn Smith
Burntwood 2nds
won their Merit Table game at home to Lichfield 3rds 19-3. Like the 1sts
they also had to contend with the wind against them in the first half
but they fell behind to a Lichfield penalty after just 5 minutes.
Against the run of play, Burntwood got into the visitors’ half and took
the lead when Brad Evans charged a kick down and went on to touch down.
Evans also featured in Burntwood’s best move of the half when he linked
with the backs but they fell a metre short.
The first half was curtailed when Ash Stanton suffered a neck injury and
the match was moved to the first team pitch while he received
attention.Lichfield also sustained injuries and loaned a couple of
players to make their numbers up.
Fifteen
minutes after the restart, Evans and Dave Peplow, who worked well in
tandem all afternoon in the back row, stole the ball on halfway and fed
Chris Brooks who scored under the posts. Eddie Saunders converted.
The win was sealed when Ian Cooper fielded a loose kick in midfield. He
released Brooks who was away to the posts again for Saunders to add the
conversion.
Apart from Evans and Peplow, Tony Davies impressed in the second row.
