Burntwood couldn’t retain the Lewis Taylor Trophy to add to their Midlands 3 West North title at Cooke Fields in Lichfield.
Tamworth stifled the life out of the holders to deservedly lift the trophy, scoring three tries in the process.
Graham Shelley’s men had the better of the opening 15 minutes, helped by their opponents conceding a string of penalties. Once they were in range, Matt Wood was given his first pot at goal and he duly opened the scoring with a penalty after eight minutes.
Four minutes later he was successful again from 40 metres after Tamworth were guilty of holding on in the tackle.
Tamworth’s first attack, direct from the restart, led to a penalty goal from 25 metres and then four minutes later they were level when the Burntwood backs were caught offside.
Tamworth seemed to have scored the game’s first try after 24 minutes. Slipping through some weak tackling, they were over in the clubhouse corner but were denied by a forward pass. However, it was only a temporary respite for the holders. The Tamworth pack rucked close to the Burntwood line for first receiver Jez Sandhu to force his way over after 28 minutes.
It needed a solid tackle by Wood to halt the next threat by Tamworth before the Burntwood pack turned the tide to take play into opposition territory. A long range penalty attempt by Wood was left of the target but he was successful from 25 metres following Craig Seedhouse’s crossfield kick which troubled the Tamworth defence.
Tamworth had a penalty kick of their own close to half time but the attempt from 25 metres was wide so there were just 2 points in it at the break.
An easy penalty early in the second period made it 14-9 but try scorer Sandhu was yellow carded and Wood kicked the resulting penalty.
Burntwood were unable to capitalise on their one man advantage and once Tamworth were back to full strength they were almost in again but the last pass was dropped.
With an hour gone, Tamworth opted for a scrum from a penalty award five metres out and their scrum half ducked and dived his way over the line. The conversion left Burntwood two scores behind.
They made ground from the restart and won a penalty which Wood kicked to the corner but the line out was missed and Tamworth cleared their lines.
With 32 minutes gone in the second period, Tamworth looked to have sealed the game following a chip over the top. They were first to the touch down but were brought back for an infringement. A missed touch kick allowed Tamworth to keep the pressure on. They ran the ball to the opposite corner and then the forwards drove over the line at the third attempt. A superb conversion sealed Burntwood’s fate.
Another Tamworth try was ruled out close to full time but play was brought back for a high tackle.
At the final whistle, Burntwood were left disappointed that they hadn’t played to their best but they now know the level of competition that awaits them next season when they join Tamworth’s league.
