Burntwood 37 Bishop’s Castle & O. V. 5
Midlands 4 West North
Burntwood improved their points difference by running in 5 tries against
their visitors from Shropshire but with the top 3 in the league table
all winning, they remain in 3rd place, breathing down the necks of
Shrewsbury just above them.
At times, Graham Shelley’s men played some sparkling rugby to entertain
the spectators, who included Staffs County President Barry Tilston and
County Secretary Martin Rennard, but they went off the boil in the 10
minute periods either side of half time to prevent a bigger winning
margin.
They
were ahead as early as the 4th minute. Full back Matt Bray superbly took
a high kick out of the sunlight and countered. From re-cycled
possession, Sam Wanty went on a long run down centre field before
slipping an excellent pass to Bray who went in under the posts from 25
metres. Craig Seedhouse converted.
Prompted by lively scrum half Ian Jones, Burntwood stayed on the attack
and increased their lead with 2 Seedhouse penalties after 9 and 20
minutes.
The Bishop’s Castle forwards proved to be a tough proposition and pinned
the home side in their own 5 metre area on the half hour. However, when
they lost possession, Bray fed Wanty and he hacked the ball all the way
into the visitors’ 22. He then showed a cool head to collect and find
Jones who romped in under the posts. Seedhouse converted.
Having had one escape, Burntwood put themselves back in trouble by
failing to deal with the restart kick. The visitors’ forwards mauled up
to the home line and for once the home defence was breached from close
range to make the half time score 20-5.
Burntwood lost scrum half Jones 6 minutes into the second period with a
leg injury to be replaced by Steve Blockley. Bishop’s Castle lost a
flanker to the sin bin for a dangerous high tackle.
Lloyd Shelley, the injured party, recovered to feature in the next
attack. Both he and Ash Stanton made ground then Blockley’s kick to the
corner was touched down by Jon Pucci but referee Mike Beaumont ruled it
out for being in touch.
However, Ian Mapp charged down the subsequent 22 drop out to regain
position and possession. The ball was moved wide and a superb catch and
give by John Haire put Wanty in unopposed.
Haire was the provider for the next try aswell 10 minutes later – this
time finding Lloyd Shelley who took the tally to 30 points.
Just 3 minutes later, Mapp’s dummy offload was bought by the Bishop’s
Castle defence and he cruised over the line for a rare try, converted by
Seedhouse.
With 15 minutes remaining, Burntwood should have scored more but despite
the efforts of Seedhouse, Mapp and Pucci the visitors’ line held. In the
last minute Blockley was clean through only to be chased down close to
the line.
The match ended with a thumping tackle by Bray to halt a breakout by the
visitors, looking for a consolation try.
Burntwood 2nds proved too powerful for an under-strength Stafford 3rds
who arrived short of players and unable to field a front row. They
loaned a couple of players but Simon Edwards’s side were in good form to
win 51-12.
Pete Reynolds was the dominant figure in the game, often with Matt
Cummins on his shoulder. The former scored 2 tries and a conversion and
the latter 1 try and a conversion.
However, the top try scorer was Ross Beaman who completed a hat trick
and generally had a cracking game. Chris Smith was also amongst the try
scorers.
The only down side to the performance were injuries to Sean Beaman and
Eddie Saunders who were both forced off with knee problems.
HMP Featherstone completed a Merit Table double over Burntwood 3rds, the
only Merit defeats suffered by Ade Williams’s side this season. They
went down 36-5 against fit and improving opponents.
The 3rds, already under-strength, then lost new lock forward Neal Spence
early on with a leg injury. Despite fielding a mixed line-up, they had
the better of the first 20 minutes but couldn’t make anything of their
possession and territory.
The inmates got on top to score 2 tries and a conversion before the
break although Burntwood broke their duck with a good try by the
forwards, Martin Smith getting the touch down to make it 12-5.
After the turnaround Featherstone’s superior fitness took them away to
put the result beyond doubt.
Burntwood Colts also found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreline,
losing their league game at home to Lichfield 46-5, the visitors scoring
4 tries in each half most of them the result of superior teamwork.
Burntwood played more as individuals and it wasn’t until late in the
game that they gained some reward. Danny Smith broke from the base of a
5 metre scrum to cross the line.
Burntwood U16s turned in their best performance so far, full of
discipline and control, to outclass Burton B away 45-7.
The game set off at a rip-roaring pace which hardly let up. Dan Thornton
and Mitch Carless worked the blind side of a scrum to put Sam Preece in
for the first try. Carless converted.
From another scrum, a backs’ move put Jack Lowe free and he went round
behind the posts for the score. Carless converted.
Luke Briggs broke the cover defence for the next before Lowe was in
again. Skipper Liam Wallace finished off a forwards’ drive for the 5th
and all this before half time.
Coach Tony Sutton made numerous changes for the second period. They were
helped when Burton fumbled the kick off. Preece hacked the ball on for
his 2nd try.
Briggs also added another try to the tally before Burton scored a late
consolation try and conversion.
Burntwood U15s faced a hard game at home to Linley U16s but came out on
top
8-0.
Linley’s pack of forwards were bigger and stronger and imposed
themselves on the home side to begin with but Burntwood dug deep to
string some moves together to get into the game. Unfortunately, they
were prone to handling errors and had to wait for a Joe Blacker penalty
to get off the mark.
From the restart, the Linley full back knocked on to present Burntwood
with a 5 metre scrum. Sam Wright picked up and drove over for the only
try of the game.
In the second half Burntwood were pinned in their own 22 for much of the
time but dogged defence kept Linley out.
This Saturday Burntwood travel to Veseyans for a league match. The
Development XV are in Merit Table action away to Eccleshall. The first
team’s Staffs Intermediate Cup game with Leek is now scheduled for Weds
4th February k.o. 8.00pm.
On Sunday morning the U17s are away to Willenhall, the U16s are TBA, the
U15s are at Bromsgrove and the U14s host Bromsgrove.
