Wednesbury 31 Burntwood 12
 

Burntwood fielded a fairly lightweight line-up for this friendly fixture against Wednesbury who play in the league above them. Despite putting up a spirited performance, it was the heavyweight home pack which proved the decisive factor in the outcome.
The visitors needed to move the ball around to give themselves a chance and could, maybe should, have been a try up in the first 5 minutes but squandered 2 clear opportunities.
From the kick off, Burntwood won a ruck out on the left. The ball found Rob England in the centre but with 2 men outside he delayed his pass and was caught in possession. Then moments later, winger James Langford charged a kick down only to knock on with the line at his mercy.
Burntwood did well to keep Wednesbury out in their first attack after 15 minutes and then they deservedly went ahead 2 minutes later following a kick return and set by Jimmy Davies.
Steve Blockley kicked to the left wing for Langford to collect. From his ruck, Marc Bailey drove infield to provide good possession for the backs. Swift passing put right winger Chris Smith in for the try.
Unfortunately, Burntwood lost lock forward Ritchie England with a popped shoulder direct from the restart and the momentum swung in Wednesbury’s favour. Three times they mauled their way to the visitors’ line before finally crossing in the 27th minute for a converted try.
The visitors struggled to cope with the forward onslaught and conceded 2 converted tries in 4 minutes close to half time – both times the speedy right winger going round behind the posts after big forwards had punched holes in Burntwood’s midfield.
Wednesbury were almost in again early in the second period but a poor pass cost them a try. To their credit, Burntwood responded, prompted by a strong run from Rob England.
Skipper Matt Bray and No.8 Craig Goodhall featured in an attack over halfway. When the ball was chipped through, winger Smith hacked on to score his second try. Blockley’s conversion went in off “the biggest posts on the planet”.
Wednesbury kicked downfield to force a 5 metre scrum from which they proved unstoppable to extend their lead to 26-12.
They saved their best try till last, near the hour mark. They moved the ball right from a scrum and a neat inside pass was taken at pace to touch down.
Burntwood resisted a series of 5 metre scrums as the clock ticked down before finally relieving the pressure with a kick to halfway which heralded the final whistle.

Burntwood 2nds also faced opposition provided by Wednesbury but they fared much better, winning at home 55-12.
Andy Macey’s side were on top from the start. Inside the first 5 minutes scrummage ball was moved to Danny Hackett, playing in the centres, and he ran the try in.
From the restart, more possession was shipped to the backs and this time winger Chris Brooks beat 2 defenders to score a try converted by Martin Ottey.
Wednesbury hit back and it needed tough tackling by Beau Hildick and Tony Davies to keep them out. Craig Addy put the visitors back on their line with a kick to the corner. From the line out a perfect catch and drive was touched down by Ian Mapp.
More good forward play forced Wednesbury to infringe and veteran Paul Rogers tapped the ball to himself to go over for the next try. He then turned provider with the help of Hildick to supply Addy for a try.
A quick tapped penalty by Hackett led to Brooks’s second try, this time beating 3 defenders on a run to the posts. Ottey’s conversion gave the home side a commanding 34 point lead at the break.
Some ill-discipline cost Burntwood territory early in the second half and Wednesbury capitalised with their first try. It took the home side considerable time to re-establish control. When they did, John Haire made a break and fed Hackett for his second try, converted by Adam Ansell.
Wednesbury enjoyed a good spell of play. Brooks seemed to have stopped the danger with a tackle but the ball was recycled for the visitors to score a converted try.
In the last few minutes Burntwood sealed victory with 2 converted tries. Mark Bourne fed Addy and his measured kick allowed Matt Lee to beat 3 defenders on an excellent run to the line. Then Bourne collected a loose kick to feed Haire who crossed. Both tries were converted by Ansell.
 

More 2nd XV Photos Here

Burntwood 3rds were in Merit Table action at HMP Featherstone. They stuck to their task well against the lively inmates but found their pace too hot to handle at times and went down 32-17.
Featherstone were infront inside the first 5 minutes but the Burntwood forwards made good ground for Paul Lloyd to touch down to level the scores.
Two unconverted tries put the prison 15-5 up by half time. However, a cracking try by Ade Williams, bursting through the centre, and converted by Mark Fisher, put Burntwood back in contention.
It was then that the inmates pulled clear with 3 tries, one converted, before Fisher scored a consolation try for the visitors.

There was no action for Burntwood’s junior sides due to the snow but a Herculean effort by club volunteers made the main pitch playable for Staffordshire U20s v. North Midlands U20s in the Midlands final of the national competition. However, it was the visitors who progressed to meet holders Yorkshire in the national semi-final, winning 15-10.
Cameron Pimlow put North Mids ahead with a penalty which was cancelled out by one from Luke Massey (Lichfield). A try by Matt Durber put the visitors 8-3 up at the break.
Early in the second half a Jake Abbott try and a Pimlow conversion made it 15-3. Staffs had more than their fair share of possession and territory but chose to kick for touch rather than goal but the tactic proved fruitless.
It was not until the last move of the game that Staffs scored – Jonny Watson-Jones finishing off a flowing move for a try converted by Massey.

There was better news for the Staffs senior side who won at Burntwood in midweek, overcoming North Wales 34-17 in a warm up game for the County Championship.
Two tries by No. 8 Muldawney, and one each from McDermott, Fowles and Hall plus a conversion by Swetman gave Staffs a commanding 27 point lead at half time.
The Welsh were much more competitive in the second half and scored early through Baston, converted by Parry. Two tries by Roberts sandwiched a Fowles try converted by Swetman for Staffs to complete the scoring.

This Saturday Burntwood play their penultimate league game with a trip to basement side Telford. The 2nds are also on the road going to Burton 3rds.
Sunday is President’s Day with a host of rugby-related activities at The Sportsway featuring minis, juniors, seniors and veterans in action. The Twickenham mascots will be there plus a small fun fair, inflatables and a hog roast – something for all the family to enjoy. The fun starts at 10.30am.