Tackles come in on Lloyd Dune't. Pic: Joanne Gough

Burntwood RUFC led 13-0 after the first quarter against Clee Hill – but that was to be as good as it got for the hosts.

After going behind, the Clee Hill forwards exposed some flimsy tackling to complete the double over Ben Holt’s side.

Ian Jones goes on a run. Pic: Joanne Gough
Ian Jones goes on a run. Pic: Joanne Gough

Aza Dunet opened the scoring with a penalty goal from the visitors’ 22 line after five minutes. Three minutes later he converted a fine try scored by skipper Holt. Working the short side of a ruck on the Clee Hill ten metre line, Matt Sishton slipped a pass to winger Neil Holden to set the winger away down the touchline. He passed inside to Holt who went round behind the posts.

A sign of things to come came on 13 minutes when the visitors’ No 8 went on a strong run to take play into the home 22. It needed a good tackle by Craig Seedhouse to deny him.

When Dunet kicked his second penalty on 22 minutes for a 13 point lead it looked to be Burntwood’s day. However, the Clee Hill forwards began to link well in loose play and it needed good work by Tony Davies to force a turnover to clear the danger.

Sean Latham tries to break through a tackle. Pic: Joanne Gough
Sean Latham tries to break through a tackle. Pic: Joanne Gough

It proved only a temporary respite as the visitors replied after 28 minutes. A good offloading move through centre field ended with a converted try under the pots.

Three minutes later end the deficit was reduced to three points courtesy of an easily converted penalty goal.

The half ended with a Seedhouse drop goal attempt from distance which dipped under the crossbar.

Within seven minutes of the restart Clee Hill were ahead. Their forwards made gradual progress downfield before crossing the line from more close quarter play by the forwards.

Burntwood struggled to get out of their own half during the third quarter. Scrambling defence denied the visitors a try but they conceded a penalty goal on 23 minutes.

A third penalty on 32 minutes put Burntwood out of bonus point range and then the outcome was sealed five minutes later. A fumble behind their own scrum on their ten metre line was collected by the impressive Clee Hill No 7 who ran in under the posts unopposed for a converted try.

In the time remaining, Lloyd Dunet showed his paces with a break to the opposition 22 but the move ended in a knock-on. Then Brett Taylor made a superb tackle chasing back to prevent a bonus point try for the visitors.

There was joy for the 2nd team though after they won convincingly away to Stone.

With no league fixture this weekend, club fixtures are TBA. Burntwood resume league action a week later with a trip to Cleobury Mortimer.