Harborne 14  Burntwood 27

Midlands 4 West North

Burntwood lifted themselves off the foot of the table with a well-deserved win away at Harborne. It was their 3rd success in a row, all away from home, and there is a real sense that they have turned their season around.
In a good, competitive game the Burntwood forwards got the better of their opposite numbers, particularly in the set pieces, which was just as well as the hosts had some threatening runners in their three quarters whose opportunities were limited.
However, the Burntwood backs were no slouches either and put some fine handling moves together, scoring 2 of the 3 tries. They both went to Matt Bray who is clearly enjoying his new role at full back.
On both occasions his well-timed entry into the line took him through for tries near the corner flag. Craig Seedhouse added the extras with fine conversions. Sandwiched in between Bray’s efforts, Harborne showed their potential with a converted try. Seedhouse stretched the lead to 10 points with a penalty before the pack got in on the scoring act. They went for a pushover from 12 metres out and controlled it well enough for Lloyd Shelley to touch down. Seedhouse converted.
A moment’s indecision in defence allowed Harborne to narrow the deficit with a late converted try but another Seedhouse penalty eased any concerns about not taking the 2 points.
As ever, skipper Graham Shelley led from the front despite taking a knock on the leg early on whilst the whole side seem to be gaining in confidence which bodes well for their campaign to climb the table.

Burntwood are looking to make their second string a development XV. They almost claimed a notable scalp at home to Walsall 3rds. They went into the last 5 minutes 7 points up but 2 tries by the visitors, one converted, saw them lose out 12-7.
The home try had come from Phil Dickson, a fine effort from 20 metres out, and converted by Craig Addy. Walsall used their big forwards at the death to drive over for the winning tries.

Burntwood 3rds hosted Warley and finished on the wrong end of a 73 point mauling. The visitors were without a league game and so sent a youthful line up which proved too lively for a predominantly veterans’ home side.

The only winners among the junior section on Sunday morning were the U16s who gained some measure of revenge for the 3rds by travelling to Warley and defeating them 22-0.
There were first half tries for Gary Eccles, Nick Peplow and James Davison and in the second period Chris Dudley touched down and Ben Poulton converted.

An honourable mention goes to the U13s. Although they lost at home to Burton 14-0, this was a vast improvement on the crushing defeat they suffered last season. Troy Coleman almost escaped on a couple of occasions but couldn’t evade the last defender.

This Saturday Burntwood host Newcastle (Staffs) in a league game whilst the seconds travel in the opposite direction. The 3rds are TBA.
On Sunday the junior sides are on their travels with the U17s v. Willenhall, the U15s at Lichfield, the U14s away to Burton and the U13s at W’ton.