Burntwood edged into top place in the division by virtue of a 15-9 win at leafy Cleobury Mortimer whilst their nearest challengers lost for the first time this season.
Rob Cartwright’s side are now the only undefeated team in the league but it was not all plain sailing, particularly when they lost Hal Gozukucuk to a red card right on half time.
At that stage the visitors were 14 points up and looked set for a comfortable win but the second half was more even with just a try apiece to show for both sides’ efforts.
The settling in period presented penalty opportunities for each side. Aza Dune’t opened the scoring with a successful kick on eight minutes after his forwards had taken a Cleobury scrum.
The pack took another home scrum a minute later but they infringed at the ensuing ruck. However the kick at goal, face on to the posts, was missed.
The visitors were penalised again virtually straight from the restart but the chance to level the scores was off target again.
Great work by Graham Shelley to turn the ball over after 25 minutes set his side on the attack. Another steal against the Cleobury put-in forced the home side to infringe and Dune’t obliged again to make it 6-0.
Five minutes later Burntwood launched their best attack so far via Gozukucuk and skipper Cartwright to take play into the home 22.
The hosts were penalised at a scrum and Dune’t made no mistake with the kick from in front of the posts.
The home side then had the visitors back peddling but solid defence eventually forced a loose pass and the danger was over.
Jack Neal put the hosts in trouble by charging a kick down to earn Burntwood a scrum ten metres out. The ball was worked into midfield where full back Matt Sishton came into the line and popped the ball up to Brett Taylor for a try near the posts. Dune’t’s conversion attempt was charged down.
Cleobury intercepted a pass at the restart to create a scoring chance but the crucial pass was knocked on, allowing Taylor to clear.
With the half time whistle due, Gozukucuk received his red card for an offence largely unnoticed by players and spectators alike.
This setback seemed to mark a major change of fortunes for Burntwood, especially when Cleobury opened their account with a try just four minutes into the second period. Turnover ball was hacked downfield for the score although the touch down itself appeared dubious.
The Burntwood scrum was still capable of holding the home pack despite being a man down. They won a penalty award after eight minutes but Dune’t slipped as he tried to convert from the hosts’10 metre line.
Another missed penalty attempt by the home side saw them tap and go at their next award but the Burntwood defence remained solid.
With ten minutes to go the visitors were reduced to 13 players when Shelley was yellow carded but they remained resolute in their own 22. Cleobury then had their hooker yellow carded and their chances of a come from behind win went with him.
This was confirmed when Taylor crossed for his second try close to the final whistle following another assist from Sishton.
This Saturday (October 27) Burntwood welcome Eccleshall to The Sportsway looking to retain their place at the top of the table – kick off 3pm. Fixtures for the 2nds and Development Squad are TBC.
The draw for the 3rd Round of the RFU Senior Vase competition has given Burntwood a trip to Kesteven in Grantham, Lincolnshire on November 10.
