Telford Hornets 13 Burntwood 18
Midlands 4 West North
Burntwood enjoyed a very successful weekend with 2 wins in 2 days. The
first was their first ever victory on Telford’s home turf to keep them
in 5th place in the league. The second came on Sunday with an
entertaining performance against a Burntwood President’s XV.
It hadn’t begun too promisingly with a slow start at Telford which saw
the basement side loop round a scrum for a try down the right wing after
just 5 minutes.
However, the visitors responded well by stopping Telford’s attempts at
rolling mauls and then moving the ball into the home 22. From a scrum, a
miss move found Steve Blockley and he held the ball up well in the
tackle for Jimmy Davies to take and touch down. Craig Seedhouse put his
side ahead after 18 minutes with the conversion.
Four minutes later and Burntwood were in again with the help of
Blockley. A free kick was moved to Matt Watkins who made a thrusting run
in midfield to provide clean possession for the backs. Blockley received
another miss out pass to put Tom Restall over for the try.
Telford hit back with a penalty on the half hour mark, given for
offside, but it was Burntwood who came closest to a try just before half
time. Blockley was at the centre of it all again then the forwards
almost mauled their way over. They earned a penalty but Seedhouse’s kick
at goal was wide.
Seedhouse made amends with a penalty 4 minutes into the second period
after a good line out take by Amrit Derry and a driving run through
centre field by Lloyd Shelley.
Telford showed they weren’t finished by scoring their 2nd try 5 minutes
later when their right winger escaped down the touchline.
Watkins settled Burntwood nerves by claiming the restart kick to set his
side on the attack again. Good play took them up to the home 5 metre
line and when Telford infringed, Seedhouse punished them by slotting his
kick over.
Burntwood camped in the Telford 22 but lacking the strike running of
Matt Bray and Rob England they failed to turn pressure into points.
It could have been costly when they lost possession on half way with 10
minutes left. Telford hacked downfield to mount pressure on the
visitors’ 5 metre line, sniffing a chance of only their 2nd league win
of the season. Fortunately, the defence turned the ball over to win a
scrum and then a penalty to clear the danger.
The game finished with Burntwood in the Telford half. Seedhouse had a
chance to increase the lead with a penalty. His kick fell short but it
mattered little as his side saw out time.
Rob England was available for the Sunday match and he took the staring
role with 4 tries as Burntwood defeated the Invitation XV 31-25 at The
Sportsway.
Scott Refell (Army Medical Corps) put the President’s side ahead with a
try inside 5 minutes. The invitees quickly gelled but it was not until
the half hour that they scored again, this time through Tom Leese
(Stafford). Sandwiched in between was a penalty by Seedhouse.
England crossed for his first try just before half time. Seedhouse’s
conversion tied the scores at the break.
Seven minutes into the second half and England had completed a hat
trick, one with an interception and the other a weaving run through
midfield. Seedhouse converted both.
The President’s XV brought it back to 24-15 with a well received try by
Burntwood’s 2nd XV skipper Andy Macey who was playing at hooker for the
invitees.
However, there was no stopping England whose outside run took him to the
right corner for another try converted by Seedhouse.
Two tries by the guests in the last 10 minutes from Jone Rabebe
concluded an entertaining encounter.
Burntwood Veterans played Wednesbury Veterans as part of the President’s
Day and went down 29-17.
The visitors scored 2 tries and a conversion in the opening half hour
but Mark Bourne got Burntwood off the mark with a try to make it 12-5 at
the break.
Wednesbury doubled their lead 15 minutes into the second half but the
hosts mounted a comeback through tries from Paul Lee and Antony Sutton
plus a conversion by John Bayliss.
However, it was a late try by Wenesbury which secured their win to round
off a rugby-packed day which also featured Tag Rugby and U15s and U14s
games against Spartans with the older lads getting the better of their
visitors.
This Saturday Burntwood complete their league programme with the visit
of Selly Oak. The 2nds are TBA and the Veterans face Handsworth.
