Burntwood 31 Old Yardleians 11
Midlands 4 West North
Burntwood showed that they were not suffering any hangovers from their
setback at Tamworth a week earlier by running in 5 tries against fellow
mid-tablers Old Yards. They have found points’ scoring difficult but
this win finally carried them past the 200 point barrier.
They were quick off the mark with 2 tries in the first 6 minutes whilst
the visitors didn’t help themselves with their outside half being yellow
carded in the first half and then given a straight red in the second
half, both for stamping.
In ideal playing conditions, Burntwood warmed the crowd up with a
cracking try after 4 minutes. Line out possession was moved to Rob
England via a miss move and he made a break to the corner. He drew the
last defender and offloaded to winger Chris Smith who touched down.
Just 2 minutes later scrum half Ian Jones caught the visitors’ right
winger out with a chip to the corner. When the defender fumbled Jones
pounced to score his first try for the firsts.
Burntwood remained on top for the opening 20 minutes with some
enterprising play but handling errors allowed Old Yards into the game.
England blotted his copy book with a high tackle which was right infront
of the posts to gift 3 points.
Shortly afterwards the visitors’ No.10 was sent to the sin bin for using
his boot illegally on Lloyd Shelley. While he was off, Burntwood added 7
points. Shelley began the move with a strong run and set up. Good hands
by the backs saw Steve Blockley time his pass perfectly to Sam Wanty who
went round behind the posts for a try converted by Craig
Seedhouse.
Burntwood fumbled the restart to concede a scrum from which the Old
Yards scrum half evaded a tackle down the blind side to race in from 20
metres. This seemed to spark his side into life. They began to test the
home defence and they added a penalty close to half time to put the
result back in the balance at 17-11.
Graham Shelley’s men almost began the second period like the first. A
pass back inside from Seedhouse to England saw the centre run strongly
into the Old Yards 22 before finally being halted at the cost of a
penalty. Unfortunately, Seedhouse’s kick at goal was off target.
However, the home side kept up the momentum to stay in the opposition
22. The forwards almost drove over from a maul but when they were
presented with a scrum5 they controlled it well enough for Matt Watkins
to touch down. Seedhouse converted.
Fifteen minutes into the second half the game erupted and the Old Yards
player was sent off.
Once things settled down, the visitors were under continual pressure.
Eventually, Seedhouse’s reverse pass 30 metres out put England clean
through for a try converted by Seedhouse.
There were no further scores although a superb move featuring England,
Blockley and Lloyd Shelley deserved one but the final pass to Blockley
was forward.
Burntwood 2nds were also in free scoring mood away to Stafford
3rds. They went one better then the firsts by scoring 6 tries to win
40-7.
A good start by the Burntwood forwards was rewarded by Brad Evans who
popped up in the centres for the first try. Martin Ottey quickly added a
penalty for 8-0.
A spell of play in midfield was ended when Burntwood engineered space
for winger Chris Brooks to go clear for the first of his 2 tries. Ottey
converted.
Burntwood remained on top for the rest of the half. A scrummage offence
presented Ottey with 3 more points and then in the last attack of the
half forwards and backs combined well in a move finished off by Evans
for his 2nd try.
Stafford were much the better of the 2 sides early in the second half. A
tapped penalty was barged over for a converted try and they were the
dominant side for 15 minutes.
However, against the run of play, Burntwood turned the ball over and
found Brooks in space and he rounded 3 defenders to score under the
posts. Ottey converted.
Burntwood re-established control through their pack Jimmy Davies’s run
into the home 22 earned a penalty. They opted for the scrum and Simon
Edwards touched down.
In the last 5 minutes Burntwood were camped in the home 22 again.
Edwards and Darren Brindley combined well for the former to score the
final try of the afternoon to round off a fine performance by the men in
red, white and green.
Burntwood 3rds were the victims of an abundance of players at
home to Cannock 2nds. They were by far the better side in the first half
but they lost their shape in the second period after making numerous
changes and went down 22-12.
Burntwood’s first try followed a break by Paul Lee. He found Tim Brasher
up in support to score. Matt Hoare converted. Cannock kicked 3 points
for a 7-3 half time scoreline.
The visitors’ revival was kick-started by an interception try and they
never looked back. The home side’s only reply was a late try by Simon
Barker who finished off a backs’ move.
