Cleobury Mortimer 0 Burntwood 20
Midlands 4 West North
 

On a superb playing surface, ideal for running rugby, a disappointing contest ensued which only sporadically burst into life. Weak officiating did little to help either side’s cause but at least Burntwood won to stay in contention for the league runners-up spot.
Winless Cleobury posed little threat to the visitors’ line until late in the game but they frustrated Burntwood throughout, particularly at the breakdown where they slowed possession down, sometimes legally, assisted by a lenient referee.
There were errors by both sides in the opening 5 minutes which set the tone for the afternoon. The first handling move of note was initiated by prop Rob Cartwright but the final pass to James Langford was knocked on.
The home scrum half was yellow carded after 8 minutes for illegal use of the boot and Burntwood capitalised with 8 points during his absence.
A good break by skipper Graham Shelley took play from midfield to the home 5 metre line. When the ball was recycled , Cleobury infringed and Craig Seedhouse kicked the penalty.
A fine intrusion into the back line by full back Matt Bray was the prelude to his side’s first try. He exchanged passes with Seedhouse and although the ball went to ground, Mark Partridge recovered it to feed the backs. A good take by Matt Sishton enabled him to cross unopposed.
Burntwood spent most of the rest of the half in home territory but lost possession at crucial times. The nearest they came to adding to their lead was a long range penalty which fell short and then right on half time Seedhouse sent Langford heading for the corner only for the winger to be squeezed out at the flag.
Burntwood remained on the attack early in the second period, going close from a 5 metre scrum. Then each side lost a player to the sin bin in separate incidents, Seedhouse for Burntwood, but 2 tries in 2 minutes while they were off settled the outcome.
First, Partridge twisted and turned his way through heavy traffic to touch down and then from the restart the same player provided the momentum for the next score.
A neat interchange of passes between Bray and Lloyd Shelley saw the latter race in under the posts for Bray to convert.
This score stood out like a beacon in a fairly uneventful half. The main plus for Burntwood was their defence. Twice the home side seemed to be over the visitors’ line but both times they were held up, skipper Shelley determined not to allow even a consolation try for the hosts.
 

More photos here

Burntwood Development XV came from behind for a share of the spoils away to a strong Stafford 3rds. Their Merit Table meeting ended 14 points all.
As the score suggests, the sides were evenly matched from start to finish even though Burntwood took to the field without a recognised scrum half. They made effective use of a rotation system involving 4 back row players in a forwards orientated contest.
Simon Edwards’s side found themselves 2 converted tries down in the opening 10 minutes, one an interception, and prospects didn’t look good. However, they decided to compete rather than roll over and Jon Pucci got his side back in the game when he intercepted a Stafford pass to run in under the posts. Steve Blockley converted.
Burntwood had the better of the rest of the game but it wasn’t until the second half that they equalised. From their own 22 they mounted an attack which went through umpteen phases before skipper Edwards touched down near the corner. Blockley added a superb conversion to tie the scores.
In the last 10 minutes both sides had chances to claim the win. Twice Stafford were given penalties infront of the posts. The first they kicked to the corner for a line out which they lost; the second was a kick at goal which was wide. Then it was Blockley’s turn to fire wide with his penalty attempt.
Special mention goes to the back row unit of Matt Watkins, Chris Preston, Josh Bayliss and Tom Restall who distinguished himself with 2 try-saving tackles. Edwards and Tim Anslow also impressed with their ball carrying.

Burntwood 3rds were under strength for their Merit Table game away to Wednesbury 2nds. Having loaned players they proceeded to dominate the first half but several injuries weakened their line up after the break and they went down 43-25.
Ade Williams’ side made light of their patched up formation to reach half time 20 points ahead having scored 4 good tries.
The first was scored by Ben Poulton although the youngster dislocated his shoulder in the process. Burntwood then lost their replacement hooker with a dislocated elbow but the tries continued.
Brad Evans, back from injury, scored a deserved try. He was performing well until he too was forced off with an injury in the second half.
The 3rd try went to Matt Toothill and the 4th to Micky Mapp.
As injuries took their toll after the break the supply of replacements ran out and Wednesbury exploited their superior numbers to romp home. The only reply for Burntwood was a 5th try scored by a loanee.

Burntwood Veterans were also involved in a high scoring game and they too finished on the losing side. They travelled the short trip to face a strong Rugeley side and went down 52-42.
They were playing catch-up for most of the game, 2 late tries bringing some respectability to the final scoreline.
Matt Cummins ran in a hat trick of tries, Craig Addy scored 2 and Martin Ottey added one. Addy converted all 6.
The side welcomed Warren Reeves back to action after an absence of 7 years.

On Sunday morning the U16s followed up last week’s win over Walsall with a 55-0 win away to Rugeley. As the scoreline suggests, they were dominant throughout, turning in a fine display of total rugby despite changing their line up.
Sam Bratt, Jack Neal (2), Mitch Carless, Sam Preece, Dan Thornton and Luke Briggs were the try scorers with Briggs’s try a superb individual effort from his own half. They were all converted by Carless (6) and Thornton. Carless also added 2 penalties for a personal tally of 23 points.
The side welcomed Cameron Miles back to action after a long absence.

Burntwood U15s were ahead in their game at home to Burton but they lost their way and ended up on the wrong side of a 24-14 scoreline.
Within 15 minutes they were 14 –0 after tries by Sam Power and Scott Minnis plus 2 conversions by Power. They then took wrong options in the quest for more and allowed Burton to score right on half time.
A scrappy second period played into the hands of the Burton forwards who were quicker to the breakdowns. They scored 3 unanswered tries with 2 converted to take a deserved win.
 

Sunday morning also saw the U13's making their way down to visit Old Coventrians and play in a triangular fixture with Spartans RFC.

Burntwood were first up against Old Coventrians. Appearing weary from the journey Burntwood failed to spark in the opening few minutes with Old Cov's having the upper hand in most areas except the scrum. This advantage was lost when an unfortunate injury to the Old Covs hooker meant uncontested scrums and due to no replacements both teams dropped to 14 players. An try for Old Covs and a Burtwood try by Liam Smith saw this encounter end in a 5 - 5 draw.

Straight back out to face Spartans, Burntwood were now more alive to the task and the ball began to move along the backline.
Rory Newhall was first to brake through to score for Burntwood, converted by Callum Heath. Another powerful run by winger Liam Smith saw him continue his scoring streak with another try. An unconverted score by Spartans left the final score Burntwood 12 - Spartans 5.

In warm sunshine this first visit to Old Coventrians was most enjoyable and the U13's look forward to further encounters both home and away.
This Saturday Burntwood play Tamworth away in the semi final of the Staffs Intermediate Cup. The Development XV are at Bloxwich, the 3rds host Warley 2nds for a Merit Table game and the colts are at Rugeley.