Woodrush 43 Burntwood 5
Midlands Senior Vase – Quarter Final
Their Midlands Vase quarter final tie at Woodrush proved something of a reality check for Burntwood RUFC following their five match winning streak against league opposition.
They had more than their fair share of possession and territory, particularly in the second half, but their usual tactic of moving the ball wide foundered against a Woodrush defence which is the best in their league and shows why they top Midlands 3 West South.
Thoughts of a place in the semi-final were quickly forgotten when Ben Holt’s side found themselves 17 points down after just ten minutes and 29-0 at the break.
Woodrush received the kick off and patiently went through the phases via their forwards to take play close to the visitors’ line before moving the ball out to the right for the first try after three minutes.
The hosts remained on top and their place kicker added a penalty goal to his earlier conversion to make it 10-0.
Burntwood got into the contest via a charged down kick to mount a good attack but a pass to the unmarked Aza Dunet was grounded to allow the home right winger to race three quarters the length of the pitch for another converted try.
Burntwood hit back with a sustained attack, moving the ball either side, but they couldn’t find a way through. Then another Woodrush break out was only denied by a last ditch tap tackle by full back Brett Taylor.
However, play remained in the visitors’ 22. One catch and drive effort from a line out was repelled but the home forwards eventually crossed the line following a series of close quarter drives. The conversion made their lead 22-0.
A positive for Burntwood throughout the game was their scrummaging. Pressure at the set piece gave them opportunities to get back into the game but errors and infringements hindered their cause. One error allowed Woodrush to break out again but the final try-scoring pass was spilled.
Another home try right on half time, despite an apparent crossing offence in midfield, seemed to seal Burntwood’s fate.
An early score in the second period was vital and it looked a possibility when Hal Gozukucuk took the restart and charged through to the home 22 but his offload failed to find support.
Burntwood were now camped in home territory, opting for set scrums at penalty awards, but Woodrush continued to find a way out of tricky situations, sometimes assisted by uncharacteristic handling errors by the visitors.
Against the run of play, the hosts scored two converted tries in two minutes around the 70 minute mark. The first was another breakaway, this time running the length of the pitch with Burntwood totally committed to attack, the second the result of good handling by the backs from set scrum possession.
All Burntwood could do now was go for a consolation score and it came in the last minute. A drive by the forwards was finished off by Gareth Williams, his first try for the team, but it is Woodrush who will go on to host Melton Mowbray in the semi-final.
Burntwood return to league action this Saturday with the visit of Staffs Intermediate Cup Finalists Willenhall. The 2nds and 3rds both travel to Bognop Road to face Willenhall 2nds and 3rds.
