Burntwood RUFC came back from 19-3 down after an hour’s play to earn a draw at Edwardians.

It was certainly a last gasp recovery from the visitors as Will Peach’s conversion of Danny Poole’s try was the last kick of the game and it came five minutes into added time.

The result preserves Burntwood’s unbeaten start to the season but they slip to second in the table behind Veseyans who kept their 100 per cent winning record with an impressive success away to Newcastle.

Despite avoiding defeat, Burntwood should have made more of their territorial advantage in both halves. However, while they couldn’t find a way through a tight Edwardians’ defence until late on, the hosts scored three tries from four meaningful attacks.

The first came eight minutes in after both sides had tested each other out with promising moves. Eds’ forwards worked the ball back from a clearance kick and broke the last tackle to touch down.

Burntwood hit back by taking an Eds’ scrum to launch Jack Neal on a run which was halted close to the line. Another good attack prompted by a burst from Danny Poole caught the home backs offside but Peach’s penalty attempt slid right of the posts.

The visitors kept play in the home half and created three more penalty chances between the 20th and 32nd minutes. He was on target with the first but missed the other two in the blustery crosswind.

Then it was Edwardians’ turn to strike back with only their second attack of the half. They were pulled back for a forward pass when they seemed to have scored in the right corner but they were not denied for long.

They turned the ensuing scrum to win the next put in. The ball was moved left and after two thrusts at the line they forced their way over by the posts for a converted try and a half time lead of 12-3.

The first attack of the second half was initiated by playmaker Ben Holt who put winger Rob Jones away down the right touch. He was crowded out and Holt was temporarily replaced for attention to his knee.

Indiscipline cost Burntwood for Eds’ third try. They conceded a penalty and then backchat saw them marched back another ten metres. A kick to the right was run back left for the left winger to stroll in. The conversion was added for 19-3 after 50 minutes.

A losing bonus point looked the most Burntwood could achieve as their pack was dominant to keep play in Eds’ territory but basic mistakes were hindering them like crooked line out throws and engaging too early at the scrum.

The arrears were reduced after 61 minutes when Peach kicked a penalty goal but it was not until 70 minutes that they threatened again. A great break from 22 to 22 by Poole found Holt and Charlie Liggins in support but the latter was held up over the line.

Eds cleared but from line out possession Mark Poole and Josh Bayliss drove the ball back into the 22 to win a penalty which Peach landed from in front for 19-9.

From the restart Graham Shelley, Corey Douglas and Bayliss linked to take play deep into the home half and when Eds infringed Peach was on target again with his fourth penalty.

Having got within bonus point range they almost lost it in the final minute of normal time. Neal needed to show a fine turn of pace to win the race to a ball kicked behind the Burntwood defence and just awaiting a touch down over the try line.

Ian Jones’ side turned the ball over to feed Holt whose electrifying run almost took him clean through from his own half but he ran out of support at the vital moment.

Three minutes into added time Burntwood took an Eds scrum and moved the ball to replacement winger Elliot Woolley. He looked to squeeze his way over down the left touch but was denied by a good tackle and that seemed to be that.

However, although Eds took the line out, a wayward clearance kick across field produced a line out for Burntwood still in the home 22. A catch and drive was finished off by Poole junior and the outcome depended on Peach’s conversion attempt. He kept his nerve with a superb strike from midway out to the touchline to square the contest.

Burntwood welcome third placed Handsworth to The Sportsway this Saturday (November 2) for a league match. The A XV travel in the opposite direction to play Handworth 2nds and the Development Squad host Warley 2nds, both fixtures being merit table games. All fixtures now kick off at 2.15pm.