Tamworth 17 Burntwood 10
Midlands 3 West North

Burntwood were slow out of the blocks in this game. They conceded 2 converted tries in the opening quarter and though they made an even contest of the rest of the match they couldn’t make up the deficit.
Tamworth went ahead after just 3 minutes. Neat passing down the three quarters created an overlap for the first 7 pointer. Ten minutes later the home forwards were scrummaging close to the visitors’ line and they were awarded a penalty try following a series of collapsed scrums.
It took 27 minutes for Graham Shelley’s men to mount their first meaningful attack. A good break by Matt Wood found Lloyd Shelley up in support. He exchanged passes with Matt Bray to take play into the home 22.
They temporarily lost Dave Peplow with a blood injury but his replacement, veteran Paul Rogers, made the most of his brief first half appearance.
Following a Burntwood scrum deep in the home 22, Rogers was the third player to drive for the line and he forced his way over at the base of the right hand post. Wood converted and the comeback seemed on.
The visitors had the better territory and possession for the rest of the half but their only chance of points came from a long range penalty attempt by Wood which fell short.
Things continued to go for Burntwood after the restart. They won a turnover at the kick off and when Tamworth infringed Wood slotted the penalty. Then the hosts lost prop forward Sandhu to the sin bin for repeated infringements.
However, Tamworth managed the time well during his absence, kicking to the corners to keep Burntwood well away from danger. Infact, they almost extended their lead, going close to a try in the left corner before Peplow and Ashley Stanton led a break out to halfway.
As the action reached the last 10 minutes, good play by replacement Rogers and Pete Reynolds allowed Wood to chip through to the corner but the resulting line out was lost. Tamworth turned the ball over and broke downfield.
They almost sealed their win with a try but a handling error saved Burntwood. It proved only a temporary respite. With 2 minutes left, a penalty for a late tackle was well-struck between the posts leaving Burntwood needing a converted try to draw level.
They were making good progress into the home half but when they infringed, all Tamworth had to do was kick the ball out of play to end the game.

Burntwood Development squad earned a hard-fought win at home to Uttoxeter 2nds. After a close, physical, competitive encounter they edged home 7-5.
Like the firsts, they also made a slow start and found themselves under pressure for the opening 10 minutes. They gradually turned the tide but not enough to break the stalemate which remained scoreless up to the break, both sides having missed penalty kicks at goal.
The deadlock was broken by the hosts. Hal Gozubucuk crashed his way through several would-be tacklers from a tapped penalty to cross the line. Martin Ottey converted.
Suitably encouraged, Burntwood enjoyed the majority of possession but a Uttoxeter break out of defence led to their score. A kick and chase left Danny Lake with a difficult ball to take. He collected it under pressure but had it knocked free over the line for the Uttoxeter winger to score.
The visitors had a chance to win with a late penalty but the kick was just off target. Burntwood retained possession to close the game out and keep their slender lead.
Star man for Burntwood was Anthony Cadman, back in his familiar role at scrum half. He constantly harassed his opposite number, allowing the rest of his back line to close their opponents down.
Ben Poulton had a fine game in the forwards, tidying up line out possession and grafting well in the loose play.

A depleted Burntwood 3rd string found Willenhall 3rds a tough proposition at Bognop Road, the home side running out 63-7 winners.

Burntwood U16s bounced back from their disappointing display a week earlier with a well-earned league win at home to Uttoxeter. They ran in 7 tries scored by 7 different players to win 39-7.
Both sides were aggressive at the breakdown but Burntwood had the better handling skills to go ahead with tries by Scott Minnis, Tom Hall and Jordan Wood and a conversion by Sam Power.
The visitors lost a few players in the second period which made the scrums uncontested. However, this suited the home backs who had more time and space to run. Tries from Power, Ashley Cockrill, Liam Degville and Luke Rookyard completed the tally.
Man of the match went to Josh Hall who was standing in at outside half.

Burntwood begin the second half of their league season with the visit of table-topping Veseyans to The Sportsway this Saturday. The Development XV host Trentham 2nds and the 3rds are also at home, Wolverhampton 3rds being the visitors.
On Sunday morning the U16s host Leek for a league game.

On Saturday, 26th December Burntwood hold their annual Captain’s Ramble. Members and guests meet at the clubhouse at 10.15 am, have a leisurely stroll around Chasewater and return to the clubhouse for food and refreshments.
The day after, Sunday the 27th, there is Laurence’s Magic Circus for all the family beginning at 2.00pm and then in the evening there is the club’s Alternative New Year celebration till midnight featuring music from the 60s to the 80s. More details available at the clubhouse or ring Burntwood 676651.