With no first team fixture for Burntwood last Saturday, the spotlight fell on the 2nds and 3rds/colts teams.

Russ Palmer’s 2nds hosted Ludlow for a club fixture and following a highly entertaining contest, featuring a total of 12 tries, the visitors returned to Shropshire the winners by 42-27.

Each side had promising attacks which ended in fumbles before Ludlow opened the scoring on 13 minutes. Taking the scrum option from a close range penalty award, the visitors’ No 9 shot over under the posts for a converted try.

Three minutes later another penalty kicked to the clubhouse corner led to another infringement which the scrum half tapped to himself and scored in the corner.

Charlie Liggins opened Burntwood’s account with a well-struck penalty goal on 18 minutes but the Ludlow scrum half turned provider six minutes later when he popped a pass up for a support player to score.

Good work by Josh Squire and Adam Hasker from the restart saw Liam Smith storm over for a try converted by Liggins to make it 10-17.

Ben Tranter threatened with a 30 metre break only to be chased down by the impressive Ludlow scrum half before the visitors increased their lead with a try in the right corner after good handling by their three quarters.

Back came the hosts immediately with Brad Holmes taking possession and fending off would be tacklers in a 30 metre run down the left touchline for an unconverted try to keep Ludlow within reach.

It only took three minutes of the second period for the Ludlow scrum half to complete his hat trick of tries when he burst away from a scrum 30 metres out.

Back came the hosts courtesy of a fine kick chase by Callum Grundy. Twice they went close to reducing the deficit before Smith added to his first half try by receiving a pop pass from a penalty award to crash over under the posts. Liggins converted to make it a five point game.

Ludlow sealed their win with two catch and drive tries within three minutes with ten minutes left but Burntwood hit back again, this time through Josh Maddox who charged across field from a tapped penalty to cross near the club house corner for a try.

Ludlow had the last word with good interpassing down the right touchline to score a try in the last minute.
Burntwood welcomed Pinley for a Staffs Colts Transitional League fixture and won 40-14.

Try scorers were Dave Ward, Rob England, Ian Mapp, Craig Addy, Alex Grundy and James Lycett. Martyn Ottey added two penalties and two conversions.

This Saturday Burntwood resume league action with the visit of Handsworth. The 2nsd travel in the opposite direction and the colts are due to travel to Leek. All kick offs now revert to 2.15pm.

See Joanne Gough’s pictures from the Burntwood teams in action last weekend below: