Burntwood RUFC ended their recent barren spell in the best possible fashion by toppling league leaders Newcastle at The Sportsway.
Each side enjoyed fruitful periods of superiority to share six tries in a captivating encounter but the hosts just about deserved the win.
With Elliot Tomlinson, Mark Thomas and Craig Seedhouse back in the starting line up, Burntwood were able to field a stronger side than in recent weeks but it was the visitors who made the better start to the contest.
They had a penalty opportunity from 30 metres in front of the posts but the attempt fell short. Presented with two more awards, they chose to drive and then kick to the corner.
They won the line out and moved the ball swiftly down their backs for a try in the clubhouse corner for a five point lead after just eight minutes.
Aza Dune’t had the chance to reply with a penalty kick from the restart but the crosswind was proving difficult for both teams’ kickers and his effort was left of the target. He was closer with another kick five minutes later, this time hitting the upright, but the rebound was cleared.
The hosts gained a foothold in Newcastle territory through the forwards picking and driving into the 22. The first threat ended in a knock on but on 24 minutes Mark Poole drove close to the line which allowed skipper Ian Jones to gather and stretch over the line to draw the scores level.
The momentum now lay with the home side. With half an hour gone they turned Newcastle possession over and attacked through centre field. Craig Prosser featured twice in a move which concluded with a slick pass from Hal Gozukucuk to Lloyd Shelley who burst his way over for a try.
The home forwards continued to drive and recycle possession at pace and Burntwood went further ahead on 38 minutes when Dune’t’s efforts were eventually rewarded with a penalty goal.
Right on half time the visitors had two opportunities to reduce the arrears but first a drop goal attempt was wide and then secondly a penalty attempt at goal was badly scuffed.
Four minutes into the second period Burntwood seemed to have settled the result with their third try. The forwards did the spadework before Gozukucuk turned provider again, this time feeding Ben Holt who sped in under the posts in the blink of an eye. Dune’t’s conversion made it 20-5 and his side looked home and dry.
However, Newcastle then showed why they went into this match as league leaders. They dominated the next 20 minutes, forcing the hosts to defend deep in their own half. Burntwood tackled and covered well, forcing the odd turnover but the pressure eventually told after 63 minutes.
A penalty for obstruction was kicked to the right corner. Newcastle won possession and moved the ball wide for a try scored near the posts. However, the conversion was missed.
Dune’t had a penalty attempt almost immediately but his kick across the wind just drifted left of the posts.
The outcome of the match was put back into the balance going into the last ten minutes. A determined attack, involving forwards and backs, took play up to the home 5 metre line where Newcastle worked an overlap for a try wide right. This time the conversion was successful to reduce the deficit to just three points.
Presented with a penalty award on halfway, Burntwood chose to run the clock down with a final drive by the forwards. They retained possession right up to the try line where Gozukucuk’s dive came up just short of the whitewash but the final whistle sounded to leave Burntwood with a morale-boosting win after a tough month.
Burntwood begin the second half of their league season with a trip to Yardley & District next Saturday. The 2nd XV host Wolverhampton 3rds.
