Burntwood 32 Wednesbury 10
Midlands 3 West North

Graham McDonald’s reign as Burntwood’s new Head Coach began in fine style with a win over previously unbeaten Wednesbury. They now leapfrog their Black Country neighbours into 2nd place in the table and are currently the highest points scorers in the league.
They made a bright start to the game and were ahead by the 4th minute. From a solid midfield scrum, No. 8 Dave Peplow fed scrum half Ollie Whitehouse. He ducked through the opposition defensive line and hared his way to the line for the opening try.
However, it didn’t take long for the visitors to reply. When the hosts moved line out possession down their back line, Andrew Field intercepted and evaded Matt Wood’s tackle in a 20 metre run to the posts. Field converted his own try to put his side ahead for the only time in the afternoon.
Burntwood responded well from this setback. James Langford almost touched down in the corner chasing a kick ahead then a good attack by the backs was only ended by a high tackle on Craig Seedhouse.
Burntwood chose to scrummage and after 3 drives at the line, Whitehouse nipped over for his second try. Wood added the conversion.
Field kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears but was wide with another effort from infront of the posts. Wednesbury would have regained the lead but for a try-saving tackle by Whitehouse which enabled his side to clear the danger.
On the half hour, a burst by Langford caught Wednesbury offside and Wood stroked over the kick. Wood’s kicking range was put to the test 5 minutes later for another offside offence but he drilled his kick over from near halfway to put his side 18-10 up.
As half time approached, Wednesbury were attacking on the home 22 only for Langford to intercept and sprint 60 metres to the posts for a try converted by Wood.
The visitors mounted a sustained attack up to half time but, though stretched, the home defence held. Skipper Graham Shelley finally relieved the pressure by turning a man in the tackle to win possession.
The half ended with a snatched drop goal attempt by Field which was wide of the mark.
The second period only featured a solitary converted try to change the scoreline and it went to Burntwood. Wednesbury had their fair share of possession but a combination of misplaced passes and solid home defence, which will have pleased the new coach, kept Wednesbury out.
The try came on the hour. Matt Bray, who had moved to full back following an injury to Ben Holt, fielded a kick in his own half. His return kick down the left wing received a favourable bounce which he was able to regather and run all the way round to the posts to touch down. Wood converted.
Both sides seemed to play for the final whistle afterwards. The nearest Burntwood came to adding to their tally were drop goal attempts by Seedhouse and Wood which were both narrowly wide.
Wednesbury were pressing for a score in the 8 minutes of added time but a resilient home defence stood firm to deny the visitors.
 

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Burntwood Development XV turned in a good performance at home to a Stoke 2nd string who compete in a higher Merit Table. This was only a friendly but after a physical encounter there was no disgrace in suffering a narrow 17-10 defeat.
After soaking up early pressure, Burntwood made ground when they stole Stoke line out possession. The move was stopped just short of the line but the visitors infringed allowing Chris Edwards to slot the resulting penalty.
Stoke came back strongly from the restart. It needed a try-saving tackle by Lloyd Shelley to prevent an early reply. However, a chip over the home defence caused confusion after 20 minutes and Stoke were gifted a converted try under the posts.
Tim Anslow, Chris Preston and Hal led a promising move on the half hour but Stoke managed to snaffle the ball and break out for an unconverted try to leave Burntwood 12-3 down at the break.
The Stoke outside centre put his side further ahead with an unconverted try but Burntwood had the last word when Anthony Cadman touched down following a tapped penalty and some close quarter support. Edwards converted.

Burntwood 3rds travelled to Wednesbury 2nds and returned with a 24-12 Merit Table win.
The sides were fairly evenly matched but skipper Mark Willson inspired his side with 2 tries. Fellow three quarter James Hemingfield also touched down and all 3 tries were converted by Martin Ottey who also added a penalty for good measure.
Wednesbury scored a breakaway try in the first half and scored their 2nd towards the end as the visitors tired.
Apart from good performances by Willson and Hemingfield, prop Dave Miles was the pick of the forwards.

This Saturday Burntwood welcome Amber Valley to The Sportsway for the 2nd Round of the RFU Senior Vase competition. The Derbyshire side currently sit at the top of Midlands 3 East North. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
Burntwood Development XV are away to Cannock and the 3rds host Birmingham Barbarians.
On Sunday morning the only scheduled action is for the U16s away to Uttoxeter.