Stafford 2nds 8 Burntwood 17

With Burntwood’s clubhouse hosting the Cardiff City supporters, the home league game with Harborne was postponed until this Saturday. They picked up Stafford 2nds from the fixture pool and in their first run-out for 4 weeks they came from behind to win.
The lack of match practice was evident in the visitors’ scrappy start to the game. They found themselves 3 points behind after just 5 minutes courtesy of a penalty and then finished the opening quarter by conceding a try scored by the Stafford backs.
Graham Shelley’s men finally began to find touch with their kicks and with a strong showing at the line-out they found a way back into the game.
They were assisted by the sin binning of ex-Burntwood player Gareth Phillips who was yellow-carded for killing the ball as the visitos’ pressure mounted. They should have cut the deficit before the break but with skipper Shelley about to touch down from a 5 metre pushover scrum the Stafford scrum half booted the ball out illegally but unnoticed by the referee.
Burntwood put together more phases of play after the break and were rewarded when Shelley scored a try in the corner to crown fine play by the pack against a strong Stafford line-up.
More pressure had the hosts pinned in their own 5 metre area. When the forwards couldn’t force their way over they released the ball to the backs. Unfortunately they spilled it which led to a scrum. The Stafford No. 9’s pass to his stand off hit the post and Anthony Cadman reacted quickest to drop on the loose ball to put his side ahead.
Burntwood sealed the game with their 3rd try. Mark Partridge broke with the ball. He fed Matt Bray who made good ground before passing inside for Matt Watkins to cross under the posts. Steve Blockley converted.
Sam Corbett, home on vacation from university, did well on his first team debut.

Burntwood 2nds also made a poor start in their match away to Walsall 3rds – not helped by the late arrival of 2 of their line-up. They conceded an early try and though play was more even after the late-comers arrived, they eventually went down 15-10.
A try right at the start of the second period put the home side 10 points up but the deficit was halved when scrum half Ian Jones exchanged passes with Chris Brooks to score under the posts. Antony Sutton converted.
Walsall scored their final try with 20 minutes left and all Burntwood could muster in reply was a Sutton penalty despite being camped in the home half for the remainder of the game.

Injuries to 2 key players in the first half cost Burntwood 3rds dearly in their match away to Warley 2nds. They had been right in the contest in the first half which ended 10-5 but Warley ran away with it in the second period to win 39-5.
Prop Kevin Broadhead limped off early and then Mark Fisher, who had scored his side’s only try, joined him on the sidelines.

Burntwood U17s were in rampant form at home to Eccleshall. They scored 70 unanswered points, split almost evenly between the two halves.
The visitors had begun the game strongly but once the home side got their hands on the ball there was only one outcome. Matt Wood opened the scoring with a trademark chip and chase which brought him a try to which he also added a superb conversion.
Ben Holt scored the next with a dummy and dive over in the corner.
Danny Hackett went over in typical barnstorming fashion after good work by livewire scrum half Mitch Adams who was at the heart of Burntwood’s attacking play.
Wood dummied his way in for his second try, Josh Bayliss scored the next following good support and Holt broke a tackle to score his second. Wood added two conversions for a half time lead of 36-0.
Danny Smith opened the second period with a well-deserved try following another break by Adams. Hackett crossed again after another powerful run before replacement Jake Eel wormed his way in for his second try in 2 appearances.
A great run by hooker Shaun from the restart set up Chris Hampton who finished off a stunning move. Eccleshall, to their credit, put up stiff resistance for a spell and Wood resorted to kicking a drop goal to add to his 3 second half conversions to increase the lead.
It was not until the last minute that Burntwood added to their try tally and it went to Holt who completed his hat trick after good approach play by Adams and Hampton.

Burntwood’s re-arranged league game against Harborne takes place at The Sportsway this Saturday – kick off 2.15pm. The 2nds host Burton 3rds and the 3rds are away to Burton Vets.
On Sunday morning the U17s face Lichfield at The Sportsway and the U15s host Spartans.
 

SAXON LOCKSMITHS

01543 423299

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