Changes fail to do trick

Oct 23 2008

Malvern 2nds 53 Burntwood 3

Burntwood made eight changes to their line-up for this pool fixture which included three players making their first team debuts. Perhaps an outing at Midlands 1 club Malvern was not the ideal fixture for them especially as the home club’s first team were without a fixture.

Graham Shelley’s men had their moments in the match but the hosts emphasised the difference in stature by running in five tries in the final quarter to carry them past the half century.

On a superb playing surface the hosts went quickly on the attack and were ahead on 3 minutes, having dragged the visitors’ defence left then right to finish with a 3 man overlap for a converted try.

Burntwood responded well from the restart with probing runs by Jimmy Davies, Mark Partridge and Matt Bray round the fringes. Malvern were penalised twice and on the second occasion Craig Seedhouse kicked for goal to make it 7-3 after 8 minutes.

The visitors were frequently at full stretch to keep the lively home side in check. Important contributions by Sam Wanty, Mitch Adams and Bray delayed the next score until the 26th minute when the hosts finally crossed for their 2nd converted try following scrummage possession.

Seedhouse had the chance to reply with a penalty kick shortly after the restart but his long range effort drifted wide. The same player then had what turned out to be Burntwood’s best try-scoring opportunity on the half hour.

Bray had Malvern retreating with a strong run before Seedhouse collected his own chip through. With the line at his mercy he chose to feed winger Chris Smith but the pass proved too difficult to take. Malvern closed the half with a sustained spell of pressure which brought them a try, even though there was more then a hint of a knock on and a forward pass in the build up, and a penalty given for a high tackle.

Dave Humphries became the third debutant alongside Adams and Gregg Findlay when he replaced Davies at the break. The score remained 22-3 in a 3rd quarter which ebbed and flowed. Malvern were guilty of spurning clear scoring opportunities but Burntwood also had encouraging moments with Shelley, Partridge, Smith, Bray and Johnny Haire all testing the home defence. In the final 20 minutes Malvern combined to good effect with 4 tries from fine running and passing and one from a strong scrum in the right corner.