Burntwood 1st XV 22 Veseyans 1st XV 7

Having gone 13 months without a league win, Burntwood stopped the rot in style with a deserved success away to 6th placed Veseyans. Try-less in their first 5 league games, Graham Shelley’s side crossed the line 3 times and could have had more.

Burntwood’s long-suffering followers were treated to a dominant performance by the forwards, particularly in the set pieces, and enterprising play by the backs.

Their first try came inside the opening 2 minutes to give them the ideal start. An exchange of kicks was ended when Lloyd Shelley fielded to break down the left. The ball was moved inside to Matt Bray and then Sam Wanty who was brought down near the posts. Quick ball retrieval found Ritchie England loitering in the three quarters and he touched down for a try converted by Craig Seedhouse.

Buoyed by this early success, Burntwood played with a fluency which was a joy to watch. They thought they had scored again after 13 minutes but the final pass was adjudged forward as James Langford touched down.

However, it was only a temporary setback as a minute later Veseyans lost a scrum against the head and Shelley passed legitimately to Langford for a genuine try.

It took Veseyans 20 minutes to progress into Burntwood territory and when they did, prompted by their silky full back, it needed a try-saving tackle by Matt Bray to preserve the lead.

The visitors defended well close to their own line for the next 10 minutes. The siege was ended when skipper Shelley broke from another scrum taken against the put-in and fed brother Lloyd who surged over half way.

His attempt at chasing his own kick ahead was obstructed and Seedhouse split the uprights with a fine kick for a 15 point lead.

It was nip and tuck up to half time with Veseyans being denied by tough tackling from G. Shelley and Wanty, then Shelley and new scrum half Anthony Cadman were close to extending the lead right on the whistle.

Despite playing up the slope, it was Burntwood who threatened a repeat of their early first half score but Craig Goodall was grounded in the home 22. Unfortunately, Andy Dodd’s attempt to retrieve the ball saw him sent to the sin bin.

Veseyans almost capitalised when their elusive full back was through again but when confronted by Bray he threw a wild pass which missed its target with the line begging.

Burntwood may have lost concentration during a long injury delay because when play resumed the Veseyans’ pack drove over for a converted try.

Given Burntwood’s long run without a win, they could easily have gone into a defensive mode to protect their lead but instead they threw the ball around in the backs either side of the half hour mark. Rob England and Craig Goodall almost made the line in two separate attacks.

With 10 minutes left their impressive play was rewarded with a try right out of the textbook. A great drive by the forwards, led by skipper Shelley and Beau Hildick on the right, created good ball for the backs. Bray came in from full back to time his pass perfectly to Langford for a classic try near the left corner. Seedhouse added a fine conversion.

The rest of the match was disrupted by a succession of injuries and replacements but the visitors monopolised possession in midfield to see out time.

Skipper Shelley was an inspiration for his side and the selections of Cadman at scrum half and Bray at full back contributed to Burntwood’s best display for months.



It was a successful day for the club all round as they fielded 3 sides and they all won. The 2nds entertained Handsworth 2nds and won the Merit Table clash 24-12.

They conceded a try within 5 minutes from a pushover but responded with a break down the left for Julian Ewer to level the scores.

Ian Cooper broke from a scrum to put his side ahead with a try under the posts, converted by skipper Martin Ottey. After an evenly fought 15 minute period, Adam Florence broke off a ruck on the 22 to make it 17-5 at half time.

The 2nds enjoyed the majority of play after the break but couldn’t score. Handsworth reduced the arrears with a converted try before Martin Hewitt made the game safe with a try from a tapped penalty. Ottey converted.



The 3rds also defeated Handsworth in a Merit game (away) coming from 10 points behind to win 22-10.

Having gone 10 points up, the home side undid their good work when they lost a player to a red card. By half time new player A. Todd scored a try and Jamie Westwood levelled the scores with a conversion and a penalty.

After the break Mark Fisher and Todd scored tries with Westwood converting once to seal the Merit points. Special mention goes to Chris Black, another newcomer, who distinguished himself with some thumping tackles to keep his side on top.

SAXON LOCKSMITHS

01543 423299

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