Needing a minimum of five points from their last two games to clinch the league title, Burntwood saved any last day nerves by settling it at the first opportunity.
They ran in five tries, including a hat trick by Matt Sishton, to take an unassailable lead at the top of the table.
In front of an impressive turnout at The Sportsway, the hosts had to work hard against stubborn opponents on a bone-hard pitch. Several times, Burntwood were pinned close to their own line as the dust literally flew but even when the game was won, they defended superbly.
First blood went to the visitors, a penalty goal by Andrew Field on 4 minutes, but 10 points in the next 10 minutes set Burntwood on their way with Matt Wood’s counter attack initiating the first try of the game.
Ben Holt did well to take a pass on the stretch and he fed Craig Seedhouse. The centre cleverly worked an opening for Brett Taylor who touched down wide out on the right. Wood added the conversion and then kicked a penalty following a burst by Tom Restall.
Graham Shelley’s men continued to press although their handling was not always secure. However, when they did get it right, Sishton was left unopposed for his first try after 20 minutes.
Wednesbury enjoyed a long spell of possession before the home side eventually turned disciplined defence into attack. A lightning break by Ollie Whitehouse almost carried him to the line – only a superb try-saving tackle denied him.
The Shelley brothers were next to threaten the line from a series of tapped penalties in added time. There was no further score before the break but the visitors lost a player to the sin bin for repeated infringements.
Despite being a man down, Field kicked his 2nd penalty after the hosts infringed and were then marched a further 10 metres for backchat.
Burntwood hit back with Seedhouse going close to force a scrum near the visitors’ line. Still a man down, Wednesbury were pushed off their own ball and Lloyd Shelley darted over the line for a try converted by Wood.
Back to full strength, the visitors put the hosts under sustained pressure just 5 metres off their own line around the hour mark but again the home defence was excellent.
When the tide was turned, Burntwood found the stout Wednesbury defence difficult to crack for the all-important 4th try until the 68th minute.
Having taken an attack right then left, Sishton, who featured twice in the move, was fed by Lloyd Shelley to squeeze in at the clubhouse corner. Wood added an excellent conversion.
Wednesbury hit back strongly for the next 10 minutes forcing the hosts to defend desperately under their own posts. Eventually they turned possession over to kick clear. Replacement Antony Morgan followed the clearance and a favourable bounce helped set up the final try.
The ball was re-cycled in the Wednesbury half and good handling by the backs, with John Haire on the burst, provided Sishton with his hat trick.
Wood almost got away for a try in the last minute but the impressive visitors’ full back hauled him down with a fine tackle.
Burntwood wrap up their successful league campaign with a trip to Eccleshall tomorrow (April 30). With Shelley’s side assured of the title and the hosts safe from relegation, it is a chance for both teams to play with the pressure off.
Burntwood’s final game of the season is on May 8 when they travel to Cooke Fields in Lichfield to play Tamworth in the Staffs Intermediate Cup Final – kick off 3.15 pm. The match is preceded by the County Colts Cup Final at 11.30 am and the Owen Cup Final at 12.45 pm – all part of Staffordshire President’s Day.
