Narrow win lifts Burntwood into second spot

Oct 9 2008

Burntwood 6 Old Yardleians 5

Midlands 4 West North

Burntwood moved into second place in the league table after they edged home against Yardleians. Had the visitors showed better discipline they would probably have clinched the win but they let themselves down badly in the final quarter.

The hosts had first use of the strong wind blowing in off Chasewater.

The points scoring, such as it was, was all completed by the break and a one point lead didn’t seem enough for Graham Shelley’s men to clinch the win.

However, such was their grit and determination that they played much of the second period in their opponents’ half.

They survived a late scare to make it three wins from their opening four games.

Burntwood had four clear cut chances to score tries in the opening half, the first of them coming as early as the first minute. Thrusting runs by Craig Goodall and Matt Bray took play deep into the Old Yards 22 but winger James Langford was finally bundled into touch near the right corner flag.

The visitors missed a penalty two minutes later but a good break by Lloyd Shelley had Burntwood close again but the flanker was scragged just short of the line.

This looked a costly miss when his side conceded their first try in three games after 16 minutes. Old Yards almost drove over from a 5 metre scrum. When it was halted, two forwards charged for the line and tight head prop Peter Butler, forced his way over.

A fine break by Matt Sishton on 22 minutes should have resulted in a try but with the line begging, the final pass drifted forward in the wind. Just a minute later, Bray made a great run to the line but was denied by last ditch defence.

However, this attack did produce points when the visitors were penalised in front of their posts and Craig Seedhouse split the uprights.

Right on half time, Burntwood were pressing again. Martyn Smith almost sniped his way over prior to the ball being set back for Seedhouse to drop a goal to put his side ahead.

Old Yards had the chance to regain the lead three minutes into the second period but a penalty attempt went wide. Thereafter Burntwood did well to keep play on halfway or in their opponents’ territory.

A late hit on Seedhouse gave the outside half a penalty opportunity but he skimmed the wrong side of the post kicking directly into the wind.

With 15 minutes left and the penalty count mounting against them, Old Yards’ frustrations spilled over and they lost numbers 10 and 12 to the sin bin. Burntwood immediately went on the attack but a promising move was ended by a hack downfield. In their attempts to scramble back in defence, Lloyd Shelley saw yellow but fortunately the subsequent penalty kick was off target.

With everyone back on the field for the last five minutes, the home side had to withstand intense forward pressure to preserve their slender lead. A thumping tackle by Goodall finally turned the ball over and it was cleared to touch.

At this point the visitors’ number 10 was red carded and the number eight was yellow carded, both for dissent. Old Yards had one last chance to win the game with a penalty kick deep into injury time but with both kickers off the pitch, the third choice hit his attempt left of the posts.

l Burntwood’s development side maintained their winning start to the season with their fourth win in four games despite being a man down away to St. Leonards. They scored three tries in a 22-0 victory.

This Saturday, Burntwood make the short trip to Tamworth for their fifth league game of the season. The Dev Side are TBA and the 3rds host Rugeley 2nds.

On Sunday morning the U17s are at Lichfield, the U16s travel to Willenhall, the U15s and U14s welcome Burton and the U13s host Walsall - all fixtures are league games.