Cannock 7 Burntwood 27
Staffs Intermediate Cup – Quarter Final
Burntwood made it into the semi-final after
a tough scrap with near-neighbours Cannock. The wet and windy conditions
on an already saturated pitch were hardly conducive to good rugby but
there were some moments of quality for the weather-beaten spectators to
enjoy.
Ironically, on a day not suited to flowing handling moves, Burntwood’s 4
tries were shared between their wingers with James Langford scoring the
first 2 and Sam Wanty matching him in the second half.
Playing up the slope but with the wind behind them, Burntwood spent much
of the opening 20 minutes in the Cannock 22. Beau Hildick and Julian
Ewer both went close from pick and drives but when Craig Seedhouse was
presented with a kickable penalty he put it wide.
This looked as though it would prove costly as Cannock finally broke
into the visitors’ territory. Full back Matt Bray and Seedhouse combined
to stop one threatening move but in the scramble to recover possession
Mark Partridge was sin binned.
Despite this disadvantage, Seedhouse pinned Cannock back in their own
half and Wanty almost touched down his kick to the left corner. From the
resulting 5 metre scrum, Cannock were penalised and this time Seedhouse
atoned for his earlier miss with a fine kick to open the scoring.
With Partridge about to return, it needed a brave tackle by Bray to stop
the Cannock No. 4 from crashing over. The home player was pinged for
holding on and the danger was cleared.
Burntwood were able to go into the interval boosted by scoring the first
try of the game. Marc Bailey set the ball up well from a line out to
bring the backs into action. Rob England bounced off a tackler to feed
Bray up in the line and he unselfishly sent Langford in unopposed.
Within 5 minutes of the restart Langford was in again. Partridge stole
possession to give his side momentum.
England dummied a pass before chipping to
the right touchline where the winger collected in his stride to run
round behind the posts. Seedhouse converted.
Six minutes later it was Wanty’s turn as Burntwood began to move the
ball well in the backs. A long pass from England stopped him in his
tracks but he spun out of one tackle and then shot between 2 more
defenders for a fine, individual try, converted by Seedhouse.
Ian Jones came on for Anthony Cadman at scrum half and made an immediate
impact with a break down the blind side which almost created a try for
himself or Langford.
It was all Burntwood now as Bray, counter attacking from half way,
Langford, Wanty and Partridge all tested the home defence.
However, it was only in the last 5 minutes that the lead was extended.
Jones fed Seedhouse from a close range scrum and his slick pass put
Wanty in unopposed.
With the final whistle due, Cannock got into the visitors’ half and from
the second of 2 quickly penalties they broke their duck with a converted
try.
Lloyd Shelley had a fine game in the loose play, revelling in the wet
conditions to harass the home side.
The semi final is due to be played in January.
Burntwood 2nds went down at home to Whittington 1sts after a game which
matched the weather conditions – dull and boring! The visitors came back
from a 7 point deficit to win 17-7.
After half an hour of midfield tussling amongst the forwards Chris Smith
seized on a loose pass to weave his way in from the 22 for a try
converted by Martin Ottey.
Burntwood failed to deal with the second half restart kick which allowed
the Whittington No. 8 to collect and score. The conversion levelled the
scores.
The visitors went ahead with a try in the corner through their backs. A
well-struck conversion and a late penalty secured victory for
Whittington.
The 3rds also came unstuck after leading in their game at home to
Handsworth 3rds. They sank from 10-5 up to 10-17 down.
Tony Davies crashed over for Burntwood’s first try and then Tim Brasher
finished off a rolling maul for the second but Handsworth stayed in
contention with their first try.
Ade Williams should have scored a third but having crossed the line he
had the ball knocked loose as he tried to go round to the posts.
With his team mates in a state of shock, Handsworth ran straight to the
other end from the resulting 22 to score a try of their own. A stunned
home side conceded another try and conversion to seal the game.
Burntwood U16s had to reshuffle their line-up for a difficult away
league trip to Walsall. With Joel Ward moving from flanker to scrum half
and Mike Cooper from prop to centre they did well to grind out a 12-12
draw.
James Davison put Burntwood ahead only for Walsall to level with a try
of their own. Cooper showed his adaptability by scoring the second which
was converted by Adam Lampitt.
However, the local lads nodded off at the restart when a reverse kick
caught them out and Walsall got round under the sticks for a converted
try.
Special mention goes to Dave Griffiths who came on to the wing and
turned in his best display so far.
This Saturday Burntwood begin the second half of their league season
with a trip to Newcastle (Staffs). They will be accompanied by the 3rds
while the second strings meet at The Sportsway.
On Sunday morning the U17s host Stafford, the U16s (H), U15s (H) and
U13s (A) face Newport and the U14s are at home to Walsall.
SAXON LOCKSMITHS
01543 423299
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