Burntwood ended Shrewsbury’s winning start to the season after a very entertaining game as part of Patrons’ Day.
The hosts had the ideal start with their first score coming after just three minutes. Hal Gozukucuk featured in a sweeping attack which ended with Sion Edwads, who was making a welcome return to action, putting Josh Shepherd in for a try in the right corner.
Shrewsbury, who were five wins from five going into the game, responded with a converted try on eight minutes when their scrum half dodged through a gap to score under the posts.
Tom Shorrock added to his tally for the season, finishing off a catch and drive for a try wide out and Brett Taylor landed a fine conversion.
A hectic opening quarter, with both sides moving the ball at pace, saw Burntwood extend their lead on 20 minutes. Billy Fisher looked to have been tripped chasing his own kick ahead but from the ensuing scrum Gozukucuk picked up to drive over for the score.
With the hosts now dominating play, Rob Jones and Josh Massey both went close to increasing the lead before Gozukucuk went over for his second try from a tapped penalty. Taylor converted for 24-10.
It stayed that way until the break, despite Shrewsbury pressuring the home line but Burntwood’s defence held.
The visitors mounted the first threat in the second period which was ended by the combined efforts of Shepherd and Shorrock before Kian Carter’s run set up the forwards for Gozukucuk to complete a hat trick of tries on 43 minutes. Taylor converted.
Burntwood didn’t deal with the restart kick which gave the visitors possession in the home 22. They evaded some indecisive tackling for a try in the right corner.
The high spot of the game came on 51 minutes. Replacement Jack Robinson-Parr caught a clearance kick on halfway and fed Shepherd inside. He went on an electrifying run from his own half to slice through the opposition for a superb individual try converted by Taylor.
Back came Shrewsbury to score in the left corner although some of the passes in the build up looked suspect. It was their passing which let them down as they chased the game. A handling error was seized on and neat passing by the hosts sent Josh Massey over in the clubhouse corner.
The pace of the game was maintained going into the final ten minutes. Shrewsbury were awarded a couple of penalties to pressurize the home line and they finally scored a converted try near the posts.
Massey caught the restart kick to set up an attack in the Shrewsbury 22 and when they infringed, Taylor took his time to land the three points.
There was still time for the visitors to hit back. They tapped a couple of penalty awards close to the home line and eventually breached the home defence for a try in the corner. The failed conversion attempt was the last act of a hugely enjoyable contest.
Burntwood 2nds led 18-16 in their league match away to Wednesbury, but a last minute penalty goal saw them lose out by a single point.
Burntwood under 17s went down 35-10 away to Alcester in their North Midlands Colts League fixture.
This Saturday (21st October) Burntwood travel to face Camp Hill, while the 2nds have a local derby to look forward to as they welcome Whittington to The CCE Sportsway – both kick offs are 3pm.
