Burntwood RUFC ran in six converted tries to stay close to Moseley Oak at the top of the table but with two games still in hand on the leaders.
The result may look like a comfortable win but it was not until well into the final quarter that the hosts gained their bonus point try.
Graham Shelley’s side made a bright start, taking play into their opponents’ half for the first five minutes. They won a penalty infront of the posts to provide Matt Wood with his first place kick of the day. Surprisingly, he miscued but it proved to be his only blemish of an otherwise productive afternoon.
Burntwood continued to press, assisted by bursts from the Shelley brothers and centre Johnny Haire, to take play into the Yardley 22. They elected to scrum a penalty award and No. 8 Shelley popped a pass to Brett Taylor for the scrum half to nip over between the posts. Wood converted to put his side seven points up after ten minutes.
Yardley enjoyed a spell of play in the home half and went close to scoring but a chip to the corner bounced away from their right winger and the danger was cleared.
The home side’s error-strewn play allowed Yardley to stay in contention. It was not until the 39th minute that the visitors fell further behind. A scrum taken against the put in set skipper Shelley and winger Craig Goodall on the charge into the visitors’ 22.
Yardley were penalised for holding on and once again, Burntwood chose to scrum. A well-controlled drive presented Shelley with the touch down and Wood converted for a 14 point lead at half time.
From the second half restart Wood was called into action to halt the Yardley left winger’s sprint down the left touchline 30 metres out. Burntwood spent some time in the visitors’ 22 without success before Wood again snuffed out another threatening attack with an hour gone.
Yardley were penalised twice in quick succession after 65 minutes and Wood punted the second to the left corner. Ian Mapp took possession to set up a controlled drive for Lloyd Shelley to touch down and Wood to convert.
It was not until the 73rd minute that the all-important bonus point try was scored and it was that man Lloyd Shelley who scored it. A slick pass by Ollie Whitehouse set up a ruck from which Shelley shot through a gap on the short side and round to the posts. Wood converted.
Inside the last five minutes, Yardley’s attempt at running a penalty out of their own half ended in an interception try under the posts for Craig Seedhouse from the visitors’ ten metre line.
With time virtually up, Amrit Derry’s fine line out take set the backs in motion after the Yardley defence had been tied in and Wood fended off a defender down the blind side for a try to go with his six conversions.
This Saturday (March 26) Burntwood welcome Wolverhampton to The Sportsway for a league game, kick-off 3pm. The hosts were defeated by Wolverhampton at Castlecroft just a month ago so a keen contest is anticipated. The 2nds face Willenhall 2nds at home in a Merit Table fixture. Saturday is also the club’s Sponsors/Patrons Day with a pre-match buffet at 2pm.
Burntwood’s Staffs Intermediate Cup semi-final has been confirmed for March 30 at The Sportsway, kick-off 7.30 pm.
