Burntwood 9 Willenhall 8
Midlands 4 West North
This result was a real morale boost for Burntwood for when the two sides
meet again in the final of the Staffs Intermediate Cup Final in a
month’s time. It was their first win against one of the top four sides
and keeps them in fifth place with two games to go.
The opening 20 minute spell proved to be a midfield tussle with
possession shared but the visitors had the edge in terms of territory.
The stalemate was broken when the Willenhall forwards tapped a penalty
and drove 20 metres up to the home 5 metre line.
With the Burntwood defence sucked in, the ball was moved out to the left
winger who crossed near the flag for a 5 point lead.
Burntwood gradually forced play into the visitors’ half but it was not
until the 34th minute that they got to the 22, Matt Watkins and Tom
Restall having linked well from a midfield scrum. The ball found centre
Rob England twice but he was crowded out on both occasions.
However, they continued to hound Willenhall and 5 minutes later they
produced their best attack of the half. Andy Dodd fielded a kick, made
progress and laid back perfect ball for scrum half Ian Jones to feed his
backs.
England fed Matt Bray, up in the line from full back, and he supplied
winger Sam Wanty who ran for the corner but was just forced out into
touch.
From the line out, Burntwood won the ball and again ran wide. Willenhall
were caught offside infront of the posts and Craig Seedhouse struck a
fine kick into the wind to make it 3-5 at the break.
The momentum was now with the home side and 6 minutes after the restart
they should have scored a try. A great counter attack by England and
Bray took play deep into Willenhall territory. There was a clear overlap
on the left wing but the pass was grounded and the chance was gone.
Burntwood continued to press and Jones almost sneaked over after good
play by the pack. From a scrum they had another chance to cross the
whitewash but yet again the pass missed its target to frustrate the home
support.
Brad Evans came on for Restall, who had given his all for the cause, but
the frustration continued as Seeedhouse’s penalty attempt from 35 metres
was on target but just short after 53 minutes. However, he made amends
with a successful kick 6 minutes later to put his side ahead.
Willenhall brought more heavy artillery on to turn the tide but while
the 3 replacements were getting into the game Burntwood continued to
pressure but could only create a scuffed drop goal attempt by Seedhouse.
The substitutions had the desired effect for Willenhall as play moved
into the last 10 minutes. A sustained drive forced Burntwood into their
own 22 and it needed some desperate defending to keep them out in the
corner.
Seehouse managed
to clear to his own 22 but a good thrust by the Willenhall midfield won
a penalty infront of the home posts which was comfortably goaled.
Prompted by a superb kick to the corner by Seedhouse, Burntwood mounted
an attack to regain the lead and win the game. With 4 minutes remaining
Willenhall infringed wide right and Seedhouse put his kick over. The
last few minutes were played out with no alarms to leave Burntwood
winners by a single point.
Burntwood’s other 2 sides
fared less well against Willenhall. The 2nds matched
their
opponents up front at Bognop Road but the home side had the advantage in
the backs, despite the best efforts of centre Mark Willson, to score 3
tries and a conversion to win 17-0.
The 3rds scored first at home to Willenhall 3rds through Dave Jarrett
but some slack defending at regular intervals gifted at least 20 points
to the opposition in their 39-5 win.
Mark Willson
This Saturday all 3 of Burntwood’s senior
sides are in the fixture pool. On Sunday morning the U16s are at home to
Kenilworth, the U15s and U14s face Spartans and the U13s are away to
Moseley.
On Sunday afternoon Burntwood will be hosting the Staffs County U20s for
the second time this season. They face North Midlands in the Midlands
Final of the National U20s Championship – kick off 2.30pm.
The sides meet to decide who progresses to the National semi-final, the
stage Staffordshire reached last season, which will be away to the
defending national champions Yorkshire on 20th April. Admission is free
for what should be a keenly fought, high quality contest.
