Burntwood RUFC were unable to prevent Tamworth from progressing to the semi-final of the Staffordshire Senior Cup.
Although the final result was not unexpected given the home side play their league rugby one level above the visitors, but Burntwood would have hoped to have pushed them a lot closer than they did.
Burntwood were forced to play at a quicker pace than they wished when they had possession. They were harried into making mistakes and the home side capitalised to good effect.
After both sides probed for openings in the first 15 minutes, Tamworth hit the visitors for 14 points in a five minute spell. They took the lead with a break down the right touchline out of their own 22. Full back Brett Taylor tackled the runner but the ball was popped up and moved across field for the left winger to cross close to the posts for a converted try.
The hosts kept the pressure on after the restart when they had the Burntwood scrum in trouble on their own ten metre line. A resulting penalty attempt was wide but the drop out went straight to the home outside half who initiated a slick backs’ move finished off by the left winger again. This time the try was scored in the corner but conversion proved no problem.
Five minutes later Burntwood got on the scoreboard courtesy of good yardage made by Hal Gozukucuk and a couple of infringements made by the hosts, the second of which Will Peach goaled from the ten metre line.
Either side of the half hour mark Burntwood were penalised when they had possession and the home kicker landed both attempts at goal to extend the lead to 20 points to 3.
Right on half time the ball was overthrown at a Burntwood line out to set the hosts on the attack again. They forced a scrum five metres out and swift passing put the right winger over in the corner to leave the visitors trailing 25-3 at the break.
Burntwood began the second period with their best move of the match so far. Centre Ben Holt made a break and found Tony Davies in support. A resulting penalty award was kicked to the corner but a drive from the line out, though close, came to nothing due to a knock-on.
After spending ten minutes in the home 22 Tamworth kicked clear. The ball bounced kindly for the outside centre, who had been a threat all game, and he raced in for a try from near halfway.
The highlight for Burntwood came three minutes later. They had possession on their own ten metre line, recycled the ball out of a tackle on Craig Seedhouse and moved it via Holt and Taylor to Aza Dunet. He sprinted down the left touchline for a fine try.
Close to the hour mark Tamworth kicked a penalty award to the corner. They fed their backs and the full back jinked his way over for a converted try.
When Peach put his side in a similar position five minutes later the pack went for a catch and drive over the line but it ended with an infringement.
With three minutes left of normal time Tamworth completed the scoring following another penalty kicked for a line out close to the corner. The ball was moved right and a forward squeezed over for the touchdown.
The only incident of note in the time remaining was a yellow card for the home full back for committing an illegal tackle.
There was also disappointment for the second XV with a home loss to Eccleshall 2nds 22-7 but the colts beat Ashby on Sunday 29-19.
Burntwood open their league campaign this Saturday (September 13) with a trip to Uttoxeter, while the 2nds welcome Leek 2nds to The Sportsway. The colts face Veseyans away in a North Midlands Colts League fixture on Sunday.