Malvern 2nds 53 Burntwood 3

Burntwood made eight changes to their line-up for this pool fixture which included three players making their first team debuts. Perhaps an outing at Midlands 1 club Malvern was not the ideal fixture for them especially as the home club’s first team were without a fixture.
Graham Shelley’s men had their moments in the match but the hosts emphasised the difference in stature by running in five tries in the final quarter to carry them past the half century.
On a superb playing surface the hosts went quickly on the attack and were ahead on 3 minutes, having dragged the visitors’ defence left then right to finish with a 3 man overlap for a converted try.
Burntwood responded well from the restart with probing runs by Jimmy Davies, Mark Partridge and Matt Bray round the fringes. Malvern were penalised twice and on the second occasion Craig Seedhouse kicked for goal to make it 7-3 after 8 minutes.
The visitors were frequently at full stretch to keep the lively home side in check. Important contributions by Sam Wanty, Mitch Adams and Bray delayed the next score until the 26th minute when the hosts finally crossed for their 2nd converted try following scrummage possession.
Seedhouse had the chance to reply with a penalty kick shortly after the restart but his long range effort drifted wide. The same player then had what turned out to be Burntwood’s best try-scoring opportunity on the half hour.
Bray had Malvern retreating with a strong run before Seedhouse collected his own chip through. With the line at his mercy he chose to feed winger Chris Smith but the pass proved too difficult to take.
Malvern closed the half with a sustained spell of pressure which brought them a try, even though there was more then a hint of a knock on and a forward pass in the build up, and a penalty given for a high tackle.
Dave Humphries became the third debutant alongside Adams and Gregg Findlay when he replaced Davies at the break.
The score remained 22-3 in a 3rd quarter which ebbed and flowed. Malvern were guilty of spurning clear scoring opportunities but Burntwood also had encouraging moments with Shelley, Partridge, Smith, Bray and Johnny Haire all testing the home defence.
In the final 20 minutes Malvern combined to good effect with 4 tries from fine running and passing and one from a strong scrum in the right corner.

Burntwood Development side’s winning start to the season came to an abrupt halt away to Walsall 3rds. After taking a 12 point lead Burntwood were then starved of possession by the streetwise old heads of Walsall who went on to score 41 points.
Simon Edwards’s side looked on course for extending their winning sequence with tries by Matt Sishton and Martyn Smith plus a conversion by Paul Donnelly.
With Sishton, Lee Walters and Chris Brooks all looking threatening with ball in hand the home forwards took command and they won with 7 tries and 3 conversions.
Burntwood’s cause was not helped by injuries to front rower Andy Dodd and outside half Eddie Saunders.


Burntwood 3rds fielded a strong line-up for their home Merit Table match against Wednesbury 2nds which they totally dominated to score 84 unanswered points.
Altogether they ran in 13 tries with Danny Hackett and second half replacement Lloyd Shelley leading the way with 4 each.
Sam Cotter crowned a fine performance at scrum half with an individual try. Chris Garner, excellent at full back, beat 2 defenders for a try but was then forced off the field after taking a late hit after he had grounded the ball.
Jamie Horton, Richard Lamb and Richard England were the other try scorers with the conversions coming from Adam Ansell (6 and a penalty) and Hackett (2).
Stand out performers for Burntwood were Hackett, Lee Evans, Chris Massey and Brad Evans who was making a welcome return to action.
 

3rd XV & Vets Photo's Here

Burntwood Veterans made it 3 wins from 3 starts when they overcame a stiff challenge from Tamworth Vets by 27-0 at The Sportsway.
Early pressure yielded a penalty goal by Craig Addy and then Pete Reynolds scored the first of his hat trick of tries, two of them being all his own work via a turnover and a break from a scrum.
Paul Lee sandwiched a try inbetween Reynolds’s efforts which helped to make up for his side’s missed opportunities earlier. Addy converted 2 of the tries to add to his early penalty.
Burntwood’s defence proved sound when tested by a decent visiting side. They had to overcome the loss of Matt Cummins with a cut eye but fortunately they could call upon the services of vice-captain Mark Willson to fill the void although he subsequently failed a dope test.

Burntwood U14s maintained their fine start to the season by defeating Barkers Butts 22-10 at The Sportsway.
It proved to be a game of two distinct halves with the hosts scoring all their points in the first period. M. Geldard-Williams charged a kick down for the opening try which he also converted.
Further tries came from D. Poole, T. Coleman and captain R. Jones before the interval.
Changes to their line-up during the second half created a loss of concentration which the visitors capitalised on for two unconverted tries.
Man of the match for Burntwood was Tom Peplow.

Burntwood hold their Patrons’ Day this Saturday with a buffet at 1.00 pm prior to their league match at home to Veseyans. The visitors’ player-coach is Zak Feaunati who played for Bath in the Guinness Premiership until last season.
The Development side play at Burton 3rds in the Merit Table and the 3rds welcome Wolverhampton, also for a Merit game.