Round nine proved to be a topsy-turvy day in Midlands 3 West North with the top four sides at the start of the day all losing.
A 34-6 defeat at Wednesbury means Burntwood RUFC now find themselves in fifth place with the top eight sides separated by just six points.
Deprived of at least six regulars, the youthful outfit were in contention up to half time but the home side scored 27 unanswered points in the second period, adding three tries to the one they scored in the first half, all courtesy of their forwards.
The visitors began the match promisingly. Ian Jones kicked his side up to the home ten metre line and then the forwards drove into the home 22. Wednesbury were caught offside and Aza Dune’t kicked the penalty to open the scoring after six minutes.
The hosts had a chance to level the scores eight minutes later but the penalty attempt from in front 30 metres out struck a post and the ball was cleared.
With the match played in teeming rain throughout, errors were bound to occur and a mistake at full back allowed the home side into the visitors’ 22. Hal Gozukucuk was sin binned for side entry at a maul and Wednesbury immediately took advantage by scoring a pushover try from a scrum. A successful conversion put the hosts 7-3 ahead but with the playing conditions deteriorating by the minute, both sides struggled to control possession. It was not until three minutes before half time that the scoreboard changed.
Burntwood were making slow progress via a forwards’ drive, helped by taking a home scrum in their 22, and then a yellow card for a flanker. However, their only reward was a second penalty goal for Dune’t.
The half ended with Wednesbury blowing a good scoring opportunity. A missed tackle saw them get in behind the defence but the scoring pass missed its target.
With just a point between the sides at the break, the result hung in the balance but 12 minutes into the second half the hosts had pulled away. It needed a great tackle by Ben Poulton to prevent a try almost immediately but the home side kept up the pressure and were rewarded with an easy penalty after 44 minutes.
Another penalty, this time from 35 metres, was added three minutes later before a missed pass behind a Burntwood scrum saw a home lock forward pick up and charge to the line for a converted try.
Just as the visitors were looking to get back in the game around the hour mark with some promising runs up the blind side, they turned the ball over in their own half and a prop forward burst through from 25 metres for another converted try.
The last action of the game saw Wednesbury score a bonus point try from an unstoppable catch and drive. The successful conversion concluded the contest.
This Saturday Burntwood travel to Newcastle (Staffs) for their Staffs Intermediate Cup tie – kick off 3 pm. The 2nds and Development Squad are both TBA.