Bedworth 29 Burntwood 13

Sep 11 2008

Not the start Burntwood were looking for after a good pre-season build up.

This was their first trip to Bedworth and they probably showed the Warwickshire side too much respect during the game which allowed them to progress fairly comfortably through to the next round.

Graham Shelley's men had the better of the opening 10 minutes although Craig Seedhouse's early penalty attempt was just wide. However, the match turned in the hosts' favour when the Burntwood midfield backs had a pass intercepted on halfway which was run in under the posts for a converted try.

Seedhouse replied quickly with an easy penalty but play was now mainly in the visitors' half and they went further ahead on 20 minutes when they exploited a 2-on-1 down the narrow side for a try in the corner.

Five minutes later Burntwood lost hooker Gareth Wedge to injury and he was replaced by Ash Stanton for a tough baptism at 1st team level.

With five minutes to go before the break, Burntwood looked to have escaped conceding a 3rd try when Bedworth seized on an error behind the visitors' scrum but were held up twice on the line. When they moved the ball wide, an overlap pass was thrown into touch.

However, the hosts kept the pressure on and in the 39th minute a home forward dived over for a try which was superbly converted from the touch-line to leave Burntwood trailing 19-3.

Some poor kicking from hand after the second half resumption almost let Bedworth in again but fortunately they were penalised and the danger was cleared.

By the 47th minute Burntwood had used their remaining replacements with Dave Peplow and Jimmy Davies deputising for Ian Mapp and Rob England respectively.

This seemed to coincide with a change of fortune for the visitors as they launched their best attack so far. First winger Sam Wanty was hauled down as he tried to round his man after good play by the backs. Then Mark Partridge was stopped in his tracks as he stormed towards the posts.

They scored the try they deserved after 55 minutes. This time Wanty was given the space to cross the line wide out and Seedhouse struck a fine conversion to make it 10-19.

Bedworth hit back almost immediately, stealing Burntwood line out possession to force a scrum 5. Two bursts by the forwards and they were over by the posts for a converted try.

Seedhouse seemed to have kept his side in with the chance of a comeback via a penalty with 15 minutes left but once again Bedworth restored their 16 point advantage by kicking a penalty just 2 minutes later.

Bedworth almost escaped for another try with 10 minutes left but good chasing back prevented the score. The game then petered out in the sodden conditions with no threat to either try line.

For the first time in many years Burntwood fielded four teams on the opening day of the season.

The Development side travelled to Aldridge for a trial game of four 20 minute sessions.

The home side had almost twice as many players to select from so it was to Burntwood's credit that they shared 24 points with their hosts at the end.

Aldridge proved tough customers in the set piece play but Burntwood had the edge in the loose.

The scores came alternately with Dave Humphreys scoring first for the visitors and then the impressive Ollie Whitehouse adding the second.

Paul Donnelly, on debut, turned in a fine performance at full back then outside half and he landed the all important conversion to take a share of the spoils.

Tony Davies impressed in the tight forwards whilst Chris Preston was the pick of a fine effort by the back row.

Burntwood 3rds welcomed Cannock 2nds to The Sportsway but found the pace and fitness of a fairly young Cannock side too hot to handle for a predominantly veterans line up. They still put up a good performance but lost out 18-5.

The visitors were ahead by 10 points and had completed their tally by the time Burntwood finally pressured the visitors' line in the last quarter. They forced a series of scrums and penalties before Gordon McDonald drove over.

McDonald was part of a good performance by the front row which included Tim Anslow and recent acquisition Stuart Maguire.

The Colts were the 4th team to take to the field and they were the only side to taste success when they scored 30 points away to Rugeley.

This Saturday Burntwood open their Midlands 4 West North campaign with the visit of Willenhall to The Sportsway - kick off 3.00pm. The Dev. Side (A), 3rds (H) and the Veterans (A)