A bold second half effort wasn’t enough as Burntwood RUFC went down 25-20 at Uttoxeter.
The visitors gave themselves a lot to do when they trailed 20-6 at half-time and turned to face the wind and intermittent rain. They almost made it, but just as they clawed the deficit back to five points they conceded a crucial try which put the result just out of reach.
Two of Uttoxeter’s first half tries came from breakaways but the hosts were determined throughout to overturn a big defeat suffered at Burntwood in December. They even survived playing the final quarter with 14 men, having had their scrum half dismissed for a touchline incident on 60 minutes.
Much of Burntwood’s approach play was good but it lacked the final, killer pass. It needed the reliable boot of Will Peach to keep his side in touch as Uttoxeter built their lead but their only try came with ten minutes left.
The hosts were ahead as early as the fourth minute when the scrum half went on a crossfield run from a scrum and fed his winger for a try in the left corner.
Burntwood’s response was good, making their way deep into the opposition half but two penalties against them cost them any reward.
Peach kicked the first of his five penalty goals to get his side off the mark on 14 minutes, an excellent kick from long range. However, the next score went to Uttoxeter seven minutes later.
Right winger Tommy Cooper joined a threatening attack to the left but when the ball was recycled back right it ran loose for the home left winger to counter. His pass inside led to a converted try begun in their own half.
Burntwood hit back with a break by Jack Neale into the home 22 but the final pass was missing.
Uttoxeter were unlucky not to score on 27 minutes. They seized on another loose ball to reach the try line but referee Paul Daniels was unsighted to the relief of Ian Jones’s team.
Burntwood looked to have cleared the danger from the ensuing scrum but a snap dropped goal put them further behind.
Peach reduced the arrears with his second penalty goal but right on half time Uttoxeter were awarded a penalty try. The visitors almost stole a scrum put in but the hosts recovered and chipped through towards the corner.
The visitors were guilty of tackling a follow up player without the ball and the score was awarded although the conversion was charged down when the ball toppled over.
The hosts had chances to extend their lead in the third quarter with three penalty attempts at goal but each one missed the target. In between, the visitors went close following a burst from Lloyd Shelley. He was held up on the line and when the ball was moved wide a thumping tackle ended the attack.
Peach kicked his third penalty then an excellent move involving Ben Holt, Neal and Peach himself resulted in another successful kick. When the home scrum half was red carded on the hour, he made it 20-15 with the resulting penalty kick.
Just as it looked as though Burntwood would complete the turnaround, they popped a loose pass up for the home hooker to surge to the line to establish a ten point lead with 12 minutes of normal time left.
With five minutes left, the visitors attacked downfield, aided by a couple of penalty awards. From the last, Shelley tapped and went over the line to halve the deficit.
In added time Burntwood had possession on the halfway line but a dropped pass heralded the final whistle and they were left to rue what might have been.
Burntwood 2nds lost narrowly to Lichfield 3rds but the 3rds recorded a close win over merit table leaders Rugeley 2nds at The Sportsway.
On Sunday afternoon, a try by Jack Holsten and a penalty by Charlie Liggins were not quite enough to overhaul Walsall Colts. The visitors won 13-8 to progress to the semi-final of the County Colts Plate Competition.
Next Saturday (March 29) Burntwood need to put the Uttoxeter defeat behind them if they are to give themselves a chance of making the final of the Staffs Intermediate Cup. They travel to Newcastle (Staffs) for the semi-final with the winners facing Handsworth in the final at Stoke RFC as part of SRU President’s Day on Sunday, 4th May.
The A XV welcome Stafford 2nds to The Sportsway for a club fixture.
On Friday (March 28) Burntwood Rugby Club hosts a fundraising quiz in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. Entry is £2 per person with a variety of prizes available including an England rugby shirt signed by the Triple Crown winning England team. Teams of four to six people can take part with the fun beginning at 7.30pm.
