Action from Burntwood RUFC v Tamworth RUFC. Pic: Joanne Gough
Action from Burntwood RUFC v Tamworth RUFC. Pic: Joanne Gough

Burntwood RUFC couldn’t repeat their Staffs Intermediate Cup win over the same opponents achieved a month earlier when they met Tamworth RUFC in the Midlands 3 West North.

With the visitors still chasing a promotion spot and Burntwood becalmed in mid-table, the visitors’ motivation carried them to a league double over their hosts.

Tamworth spent to opening 10 minutes in the home 22 and Burntwood were fortunate to escape with only a three point deficit courtesy of a penalty goal.

When Burntwood finally edged into their opponents’ half after 16 minutes, Matt Wood’s long range penalty attempt was well-struck but just left and then Craig Seedhouse scuffed a drop goal attempt.

Tamworth went further ahead after 26 minutes following a good attack up to the right corner. They stole Burntwood possession at a line out and exposed fragile defence to score the first try which was excellently converted from wide out.

Graham Shelley’s men were struggling to get into the game but had half a chance when the Tamworth backs fumbled infront of their own posts. However, they recovered to scramble clear.

Unable to threaten the try line, Burntwood resorted to long range penalty attempts, the second of which Wood converted 6 minutes into first half stoppage time.

Action from Burntwood RUFC v Tamworth RUFC. Pic: Joanne Gough
Action from Burntwood RUFC v Tamworth RUFC. Pic: Joanne Gough

Six minutes into the second period, a home backs move misfired in midfield, allowing Tamworth to kick through. It led to a comfortably taken drop goal although an altercation between the forwards saw Tamworth prop Sandhu sin binned.
Burntwood re-shuffled their line up to make more impact on the game with Mark Partridge on for Dan Garrity, Ollie Whitehouse in to scrum half and Liam Lloyd out to the wing.

It seemed to have the desired effect with a promising back row move off the back of a scrum. Unfortunately, the pass to put Lloyd Shelley off and running was forward.

Up to the hour mark, Burntwood were presented with a succession of penalties near halfway. Wood converted one but it was cancelled out 10 minutes later by the Tamworth kicker to put his side 16-6 ahead.

It needed a try-saving tackle by Whitehouse with 10 minutes to go to prevent Tamworth deciding the issue there and then although follow up tacklers conceded a penalty which was goaled. All Burntwood could manage in reply in the time remaining was a third penalty by Wood.

Burntwood have two league games to play before they face Wednesbury in the Staffs Intermediate Cup Final at Stafford Rugby Club on May 9. The first is at Telford Hornets this Saturday (kick off 3pm). Elsewhere, the Development XV have a home Merit Table fixture against Burton 3rds.