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# Burntwood fall to defeat in league opener at Willenhall
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-fall-to-defeat-in-league-opener-at-willenhall/
- Published: 2026-09-28T12:44:57.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-28T13:18:40.000Z
- Description: Sportsway men fail to follow up Staffordshire Intermediate Trophy win with another victory.
- Author: Rob Forsyth
- Tags: Sport

BURNTWOOD came down to earth with a bump as they were beaten at newly-promoted Willenhall.

Neil Holden's men had won the Staffordshire Intermediate Trophy the previous weekend, but were unable to recreate that performance as they went down 31–12 in their league opener.

[ ](#) 

Willenhall had the chance to open the scoring in the first minute but a penalty goal attempt slipped just right of the posts.

It was Burntwood who went ahead four minutes later. Sound defence halted a home attack in their own 22 and full-back Aidan Barker kicked, chased and collected to set up a series of carries by the forwards from the halfway line. Close to the try line, Alfie Broadhurst dived over for a try which he also converted.

The home place-kicker missed with another penalty attempt on eight minutes prior to the visitors mounting a good attack which ended in a penalty against, which became a recurring theme for the visitors throughout the afternoon.

A front-of-the-lineout move close to the home try line saw Luke Rookyard cross for a score, but it was ruled out for a forward pass – and then Willenhall moved upfield helped by a series of penalty awards. A kick to the left corner set up a dynamic drive. The ball was moved infield for influential inside centre Nathan Brown to catch and pass in one movement and send a wing-forward in close to the posts for a converted try to level the scores.

On 27 minutes, Burntwood regained the lead following their own driving maul from a lineout. They were stopped close to the posts, but the referee brought play back for a penalty near the touchline which was tapped to Harry Heath who crashed over for an unconverted try.

Shortly afterwards, lock forward Sam Perrins was forced off with an ankle injury which left his side short on lineout options.

Five minutes before the break, the hosts caught Barker in possession to win a penalty and reduced the deficit to two points.

Both sides conceded penalties in the first ten minutes of the second period, but one against Burntwood proved more costly with Lewis Owens on debut sent to the sin-bin on 52 minutes.

Willenhall missed the subsequent kick at goal but they went ahead shortly afterwards. They broke away from their own 22 with Brown leading the way. He exchanged passes with his left winger to score a superb try which was also converted from the touchline.

Burntwood hit back with Rookyard collecting the restart kick to set up a series of determined pick-and-go moves. The hosts conceded two penalties, the second of which saw the home full-back yellow carded. A close-range lineout drive ended with skipper Holden crossing the line to claim a try, but the referee thought otherwise and penalised his side’s protests with a penalty plus ten metres which allowed Willenhall to clear.

Just as Allen returned, Rookyard replaced him on the touchline for an act of dissent.

Repeated penalties against saw the hosts pin Burntwood in their own 22 and they extended their lead from a close-range forward drive.

The bonus-point try arrived with ten minutes remaining, a well-worked effort from close range.

Burntwood’s best move of the game came with time almost up, but having established a good field position through backs and forwards combining, lineout possession was stolen and kicked to touch to end a disappointing display by the visitors.

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