Tamworth 19 Burntwood 12
Staffs Intermediate Cup – semi final

A disappointing performance by Burntwood, who failed to take their chances until too late in the game, saw them go out of the competition and allow Tamworth to go forward to meet Trentham in the final.
It was not until the 78th minute that Graham Shelley’s men troubled the scorers and by then the hosts were 19 points up. However, in an extended period of stoppage time they came so close to taking the tie into extra time.
Playing into the stiff breeze in the first half, Craig Seedhouse attempted a penalty kick from long range after 7 minutes but he was short and off target which allowed Tamworth to clear all the way to the visitors’ 22.
It took them nearly 20 minutes to force their way back into the Tamworth half by which time the hosts had successfully kicked one of two penalty chances to open the scoring.
Good pressure on a Tamworth scrum allowed Ollie Whitehouse to steal possession and make a break which was supported by Dave Peplow and Ian Mapp to the 5 metre line.
Whitehouse then caught the home stand off behind a scrum 5 to win the put-in for his side. The ball was moved left then back right only for a 3 man overlap to be squandered and then an infringement compounded the error to let Tamworth off the hook.
A good drive by the home forwards after half an hour covered 40 metres and earned them a penalty which was goaled to double their lead.
Five minutes later Burntwood were mauling their way up to halfway but were penalised again and a superb long range kick downwind made the deficit 9 points and it stayed that way until the break.
Burntwood made changes for the second period with Ian Jones, Matt Watkins and Julian Ewer coming on for John Haire, Dave Peplow and Ash Stanton respectively.
Watkins soon made an impression after Tamworth knocked on at the kick off. He broke from the scrum but his pass back inside was grounded.
Determined to encourage his side with an early score, Seedhouse had 2 penalty kicks and 2 drop goal attempts inside the first 15 minutes but none registered.
Tamworth crept further ahead with a 4th penalty goal after 66 minutes and then 6 minutes later came the crucial score.
Burntwood took possession from a Tamworth scrum and fed their backs. When a pass held up in the wind the Tamworth right winger intercepted, broke away and passed back inside for a try under the posts. The conversion completed the home side’s tally.
With 5 minutes of normal time left, Whitehouse made a clean break but his scoring pass to Lloyd Shelley was knocked on.
Three minutes later and Burntwood finally finished a move off. Matt Bray and Jones had darted for the line before Seedhouse dotted the ball down but it seemed it was only a consolation.
However, referee Daniels found 12 minutes of time to add on during which Burntwood piled on the pressure. Jones made another thrusting run into the home 22 after 88 minutes. Tamworth were penalised twice in quick succession and then the referee went to the posts to award a penalty try which Seedhouse converted.
With play continuing past 50 minutes for the half, Burntwood gave Tamworth a real scare. The home side conceded penalties in their own 22 but when the ball was finally moved out to the backs James Langford was tackled into touch and that was that.

More Photos Here

The disappointment over the cup result was put into sharp perspective when players and spectators were made aware of events during the 3rd team Merit game at home to Warley 2nds.
Midway through the second half, a Warley forward collapsed and required emergency resuscitation on the field, rendered by Martin Smith from Burntwood and a spectator. Although the player was revived he suffered further problems and died later in hospital.
Burntwood Rugby Club sends its deepest condolences to the player’s family and friends and to the Warley club for their sad loss.
The game was abandoned at the time of the incident with Burntwood 5-0 ahead courtesy of an Adam Smith try.

Burntwood Veterans defeated Burton Veterans 59-0 running in 9 tries in the process.
Steve Blockley (2), Gordon MacDonald, Pete Wood, man of the match Warren Reeves, Beau Hildick, Craig Addy, Chris Black and Tony Sutton scored the touchdowns and Addy (4) and Blockley (3) kicked the conversions.

This Saturday Burntwood face Willenhall with the 1sts (league) and 3rds (Merit) away and the 2nds and Veterans at The Sportsway.
On Sunday morning the U16s (away) and the U13s (home) meet Barkers Butts and the U15s are at Lichfield.