Bloxwich 12 Burntwood 13
Staffs Intermediate Cup – First Round
 

Burntwood opened the new season with the slenderest of wins to go through to the semi-final stage of the competition. They scored the only try of the game but could easily have gone out at the first hurdle had the home kicker landed a penalty attempt well into injury time.
The first scoring opportunities had fallen to the home side when they were awarded penalties after 6 and 14 minutes. The first was wide right but the second was converted from infront of the posts to open the scoring.
After spending much of the opening half hour pinned in their own half, Burntwood finally broke out and it lead to the only try of the game. From a scrum on halfway, outside half Matt Wood scooped a pass up off the ground and broke into opposition territory. When he was tap tackled in the home 22, he popped the ball up for Matt Bray to round the last 2 defenders to cross the line. Craig Seedhouse converted.
The visitors enjoyed a better spell of play afterwards but a Bloxwich kick deep into the Burntwood 22 yielded a penalty which reduced the deficit to a single point.
However, from the restart, the home side infringed and Seedhouse was spot on with a fine kick to restore the 4 point advantage.
It could have been more before the break following a rare attack by Burntwood. Wood counter-attacked from deep, fed skipper Graham Shelley who then offloaded to Craig Goodhall. He was stopped at the cost of a penalty but this time Seedhouse’s effort drifted left.
Having been shoved around by the home scrum, Burntwood introduced Andy Macey and Mark Partridge for the second period.
Three minutes after the restart, a long range penalty attempt across wind by Seedhouse struck the crossbar. The follow-up chase led to a scrum but Burntwood infringed and the danger was cleared.
A scrappy period ensued, punctuated by a promising run by winger James Langford, but it was Bloxwich who again put the tie in the balance with a well-struck penalty goal to make it 10-9.
With 66 minutes gone, the home scrum half broke from a scrum on the visitors’ 22. His chip ahead was marked by full back Ben Holt but a high tackle on the No. 9 gave an easy chance for the home kicker to put his side infront for the first time at 12-10.
The same kicker had another kick from halfway after 32 minutes which just slid to the left.
As the game entered injury time, Burntwood mounted a concerted attack with a series of pick and drives to take play up to the home 22. Bloxwich infringed and Seedhouse drilled his kick through the posts to edge his side ahead.
Even then, the drama was not complete. With 85 minutes on the clock, Bloxwich were awarded a penalty near halfway, within range of the impressive home kicker, but this time he misfired to allow Burntwood to progress to the next round.

Burntwood Development XV shared 42 points at home with Barton-under-Needwood as a warm up for the new season.
A good start by the home side had the visitors stuck in their own half for the opening 20 minutes but then they took their foot off the gas and conceded a try off first phase possession when the Barton No. 12 burst through midfield.
Burntwood responded well but were penalised frequently to halt their progress. Barton took advantage to score their 2nd try, this time via their No. 8 from turnover ball.
Steve Blockley kicked 2 penalty goals before half time to reduce the deficit to 14-6.
Burntwood began the second half like the first but this time they were rewarded. Blockley kicked his 3rd penalty and then he made the decisive break before offloading to Tom Restall who crossed for a try.
Having drawn level, the impetus was with Burntwood. A multi-handling move which included most of the team was finished of by John Bromwich. Blockley converted.
Barton mounted a good spell of pressure late on which was rewarded with a 2nd try for their No. 12 . The conversion levelled the scores but the Development XV can feel pleased with their performance which was full of heart and passion.

More Photos Here

Burntwood open their league campaign with a visit from newly-promoted Telford Hornets this Saturday – kick off 3.00pm at The Sportsway. The Development XV are at Walsall 3rds (Merit) and the 3rds host Warley 2nds (Merit).
On Sunday morning the U17s are at home to Walsall and the U15s host Tamworth.