BURNTWOOD were left to rue costly turnovers as they fell to a 26-15 home defeat against Crewe and Nantwich.
The hosts had more than their fair share of possession and territory, particularly in the second half, but they were unable to claim a league point from the contest.
It had looked much worse for Jack Johnson’s side when Crewe and Nantwich got off to a fast start to score three tries in the first 20 minutes to lead 19-0.
After both defences were tested in the initial exchanges, the visitors took the lead on ten minutes. Possession from a set scrum was moved left across the field to a centre who was tackled but not held and he crossed close to the posts for a converted try.
Four minutes later and the Crewe and Nantwich back division combined for a crisply taken try from halfway for another converted try.
Three minutes later it was the turn of the visiting forwards to work together for a try from driven line-out possession.
The hosts needed a response to stem the tide and they got it on 22 minutes. Neil Holden won turnover ball allowing Jack Butcher to make ground. His forwards followed up to mount a series of close-quarter drives which were finished off by Luke Rookyard for an unconverted try.
Play was fairly even up to the break with promising positions for both sides but no additions to the score.
The hosts re-gathered the second half kick-off to take play up to the visitors’ try line but possession was lost at the crucial time which became something of a theme for the second period.
However, they did reduce the arrears on 45 minutes. Ben Holt kicked a penalty award to the clubhouse corner. The line-out was won and after a controlled drive the ball was slipped infield for Alfie Broadhurst to storm in for a try.
The rest of the half proved frustrating as time and again they were in the Crewe and Nantwich 22 but without reward. Probing runs by Alex Smail, Maurice Bolton, on debut, and Seth Harper kept Burntwood on the attack up to the line but more than once the final surge was held up.
The pressure did result in a yellow card for one of the visitors on 64 minutes but not only did his side hold out, when he returned they scored with their first attack of the second half. Having moved upfield courtesy of two penalty awards, Burntwood stole their line-out possession only to have it stripped from them for a try through midfield despite a last-ditch tackle. The bonus point try was converted.
At least the hosts had the final say when yet another penalty kick to the clubhouse corner saw Rookyard nip round the blind side of the line-out for his second try.
An error at the restart gave the visitors the chance to finish off with another score but the ball was knocked on to end proceedings.
There were no issues with try scoring in Burntwood 2nds' league fixture away to Willenhall 2nds. A veritable try-fest ended 43-36 in the home side’s favour but Dan Black’s side returned with two bonus points.
Alfie Dewsbury, Darren Ball and a penalty try were added to a hat-trick of tries from Harry Heath. George Davey converted twice.
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