Burntwood kings of the castle

Jan 30 2009

Midlands 4 West North

Burntwood 37 Bishop’s Castle & O V 5

Burntwood improved their points difference by running in five tries against their visitors from Shropshire but, with the top three in the league table all winning, they remain third - breathing down the necks of Shrewsbury.

At times, Graham Shelley’s men played some sparkling rugby to entertain the spectators, who included Staffs county president Barry Tilston and county secretary Martin Rennard, but they went off the boil in the 10 minute periods either side of half time to prevent a bigger winning margin.

They were ahead in the fourth minute. Full back Matt Bray superbly took a high kick out of the sunlight and countered. From re-cycled possession, Sam Wanty went on a long run down centre field before slipping an excellent pass to Bray who went in under the posts from 25 metres. Craig Seedhouse converted.

Prompted by lively scrum half Ian Jones, Burntwood stayed on the attack and increased their lead with two Seedhouse penalties after nine and 20 minutes.

The Bishop’s Castle forwards were a tough proposition and pinned the home side in their own five-metre area on the half hour. However, when they lost possession, Bray fed Wanty and he hacked the ball all the way into the visitors’ 22. He showed a cool head to collect and find Jones who romped in under the posts. Seedhouse converted.

Burntwood failed to deal with the restart kick. The visitors’ forwards mauled up to the home line and, for once, the home defence was breached from close range to make the half time score 20-5.

Burntwood lost scrum half Jones six minutes into the second period with a leg injury to be replaced by Steve Blockley. Bishop’s Castle lost a flanker to the sin bin for a dangerous high tackle.

Lloyd Shelley, the injured party, recovered to feature in the next attack. He and Ash Stanton made ground, then Blockley’s kick to the corner was touched down by Jon Pucci but referee Mike Beaumont ruled it out for being in touch.

However, Ian Mapp charged down the subsequent 22 drop out to regain position and possession. The ball was moved wide and a superb catch and give by John Haire put Wanty in unopposed.

Haire was the provider for the next try 10 minutes later – this time finding Lloyd Shelley who took the tally to 30 points.

Just three minutes later, Mapp’s dummy offload was bought by the Bishop’s Castle defence and he cruised over the line for a rare try, converted by Seedhouse.

With 15 minutes remaining, Burntwood should have scored more but, despite the efforts of Seedhouse, Mapp and Pucci the visitors’ line held. In the last minute Blockley was clean through only to be chased down close to the line.

Burntwood 2nds proved too powerful for an under-strength Stafford 3rds who arrived short of players. They loaned a couple of players but Simon Edwards’s side were in good form to win 51-12.