Willenhall 23 Burntwood 3
Midlands 4 West North

The result of this match, plus Shrewsbury’s win over Leek, pretty much decides the top 3 places in Midlands 4 West North. Willenhall’s win gives them the title and they are only 2 matches away from completing the perfect league season.
Burntwood are secure in 3rd place. To go 2nd they will need 2 massive wins in their final 2 games, the first of which is at home to the Shropshire side this Saturday.
Graham Shelley’s men turned in a gritty display away to the league leaders which was some improvement on their performance a week earlier away to Tamworth.
The playing conditions were awful with a cold wind and rain blowing across the pitch. Burntwood had the wind at their backs in the first half and after an exchange of penalties they were 6-3 down at the break, Ian Jones being successful for the visitors.
In the second half Willenhall ran out worthy winners. Their backs used the ball well to set their wingers away for a couple of tries in the final quarter to clinch the title.
 

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Burntwood Development XV welcomed Willenhall 2nds to The Sportsway and also finished on the losing side but had only themselves to blame for spurning a host of second half chances. The final score was 14-7.
Simon Edwards’s side had the perfect start with a converted try in the first 5 minutes. Outside half Matt Wood was back from injury and made up for lost time with a superb individual try, running from his own 22 down the left touchline to score in the corner. He also added the splendid conversion.
Unfortunately, his comeback only lasted 10 minutes as he suffered a shoulder injury and was replaced by Lee Evans with Steve Blockley moving to the No. 10 position.
The visitors upped their game, putting Burntwood under pressure at their own scrummages. From one wheeled scrum a wild pass was seized on and Willenhall broke away in a move which covered three quarters the length of the pitch. Evans made a last ditch tackle but the visitors’ support got their first and they went over to draw level.
Burntwood lost prop Tony Davies for the second half which meant that the scrums became uncontested. Whilst this took some of the competitive element away, at least they enjoyed more than their fair share of possession and territory.
However, when they weren’t fluffing scoring opportunities they were frequently penalised for going off their feet at the breakdowns.
Towards the end of the half, Willenhall took their chance to win with a converted try from set piece ball.
For the hosts, Adam Smith impressed in the centre and Beau Hildick had a cracking game in the forwards.

Burntwood Veterans were involved in a good game at home to Ashbourne 2nds. The Derbyshire club are enjoying a good season and they showed sufficient class in the second half to pull away to a 26-5 win.
Paul Rogers’s side needed the services of 3 young players to make up their numbers and all 3 acquitted themselves well. Sam Cotter gave an awesome display at scrum half until he was forced off with a broken hand early in the second half. Danny Lake and Danny Hackett were exceptional in the centres.
The sides were evenly matched early on although the visitors sneaked in for a try to take the lead.
They scored again before half time but Burntwood replied when a kick by Martin Ottey took a kind bounce for Hackett to run in from 15 yards to make the half time score 12-5.
With Cotter off the field, Burntwood had to make changes and Ashbourne got on top. Twice they escaped the home defence via good handling, once midway through the half and once close to the final whistle to score converted tries.

At least 2 of Burntwood’s sides got the better of Willenhall at the weekend – both the U15s and U13s finished on top although the U13s win came at a cost for one player.
Dylan Webber took a high ball in the closing minutes, his side having just taken the lead for the first time. A follow up tackle left Dylan with a broken femur and a dislocated knee. He was taken to hospital and will need an operation on Monday. All at Burntwood wish him a full and speedy recovery.
This was the 3rd meeting between the two U13s sides with Burntwood having won on both previous occasions. They expected an opposition determined to seek revenge and they were not disappointed.
Willenhall made a lively start and went quickly on the attack. They scored wide out and then added a converted try for 12 points. Fortunately Liam Smith continued his scoring streak with a try and Callum Grundy, back at outside centre, pegged the visitors back to 10-12 at half time.
Although Burntwood showed better form and fitness after the turnaround, it was Willenhall who went further ahead with a converted try.
Harry Davison then broke free to score 2 tries to give his side a one point lead but in the very next play Webber was injured and the game was halted.

Burntwood U15s were involved in a game of two contrasting halves against Willenhall. They showed great movement in both backs and forwards before the break but they let their discipline slip in the second half and were fortunate to win 10-5.
Sam Wright and Tom Hall both scored tries after running at pace on to pop passes. Their side were continually going forward but the visiting full back was in outstanding form to prevent further scores.
Willenhall scored a very good try through their backs to halve the deficit before half time.
There were no further scores in the second period, even though Burntwood had 2 players in the sin bin for the last 10 minutes. The defence held firm in a battling finish. Man of the match was blind side flanker Jordan Wood.

For the third time this season Burntwood U13's entertained Willenhall at the Sportsway.
With 2 wins already under their belt Burntwood fully expected to face a Willenhall looking for revenge and it proved to be the case.
In a fast moving opening period Willenhall continually pressurised the Burntwood line and the opening score was a try out wide for the visitors. A converted try by Willenhall saw their half time total reach 12 points, but winger Liam Smith had continued his scoring streak and Callum Grundy on his return to playing outside centre had scored for Burntwood, so the halftime whistle saw a 10 - 12 score line.
Burntwood started to show better form and fitness in the second half, but it was Willenhall who scored first with a converted try. The aggression shown by both sides increased, but it was Harry Davison who on two occasions managed to break free and score. With 2 minutes to play Burntwood were for the first time in the match in front 20 - 19.
The final moments of the match came in the very next play when diminutive Dylan Webber collected a high ball and was accidentally injured in the ensuing tackle. The game was stopped, an ambulance called and Dylan taken to hospital. He had suffered a broken femur and a dislocated knee in the incident and will be operated on on Monday. Our best wishes are with Dylan and his family at this time and we wish him a full recovery.


This Saturday Burntwood welcome Shrewsbury to The Sportsway. The Development XV have a Merit Table game away to Lichfield 3rds. Following the games there is a live band called Sixteria performing in the clubhouse as part of fund raising for the club’s tour to Newquay over Easter. Tickets are £3.
On Sunday morning the U15s and U12s host Eccleshall.

On Easter Saturday Burntwood host the Staffordshire Cup Final between Longton and Burton. This game will be preceeded by the County Colts Cup Final.