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# Burntwood RUFC hold on for victory against Newcastle
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-rufc-hold-on-for-victory-against-newcastle/
- Published: 2014-12-16T09:58:37.000Z
- Updated: 2014-12-16T09:58:37.000Z
- Author: Rob Forsyth
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:48

A week on from almost clinching a comeback win at Harborne it was roles reversed for Burntwood against Newcastle. They had to withstand intense pressure in the closing minutes to seal a win, their first in the league since 18th October.

The contest was a great advert for Level 8 rugby with both sides looking to throw the ball around only to be met by tough defence. There was only one try for each side but there was a lot of endeavour which kept the result in the balance until the final whistle.

Will Peach put the hosts ahead with a penalty goal on two minutes after a half break by skipper Ben Holt. When his forwards re-gathered the re-start kick Hal Gozukucuk put Holt away again only to be brought back for a forward pass.

Peach’s second goal attempt from long range was short and wide a minute later.

Newcastle drew level after 11 minutes with a penalty goal from the hosts’ ten metre line, the offence being for holding on in the tackle, a frequent occurrence by Burntwood during the match.

The home team’s approach play was promising in the first quarter but against the run of play the visitors went ahead on 19 minutes. Their No.7 stole possession near halfway to set his right winger away. He was brought down on the home five metre line but the ball was re-cycled left for the opposite winger to score in the clubhouse corner.

A good response by the hosts led to a penalty goal by Peach from the 22 metre line only to be cancelled out by the Newcastle kicker replying in kind from in front of the posts.

They repeated the act before the break, Newcastle’s score coming right at the end of the half to see them lead 14-9.

In a repeat of the first period, Peach kicked a penalty two minutes into the second half following a great attack with Gozukucuk having featured twice with strong runs and offloads.

With the deficit now just two points it was all Burntwood. From a midfield scrum Brett Taylor put Elliot Woolley away. It didn’t lead to a score but it cost a visiting player ten minutes in the sin bin. Peach’s kick at goal went left but just two minutes later his side were ahead with an excellently worked try.

Having harried the Newcastle full back into touch, Burntwood won the line out and fed the backs. They cleverly worked an opening for Aza Dunet whose his strong run carried him past two defenders for a fine score.

Peach failed with the conversion but extended the lead with a penalty on 53 minutes, following more good work by Holt, and then another on the hour mark to make it 23-14.

Directly from the restart Burntwood infringed and the Newcastle kicker was on target with the penalty attempt.

At this stage Gozukucuk went off to rest a knee injury which allowed Graham Shelley to make a welcome return to action for his first outing of the season.

With the league points still up for grabs, a frantic spell of play ensued moving into the last ten minutes with both sides harrying each other into errors such was their commitment.

A promising attack by the hosts saw a Newcastle centre sin binned for a deliberate knock on and Peach added his seventh penalty goal with seven minutes of normal time left.

Three minutes later, following a series of penalties, the visitors’ kicker got his side into bonus point range.

Burntwood’s task to hold on for the win was made more difficult when Dave Yardley was yellow carded.

Two close range scrums on the home five metre line seemed to have paved the way for the right winger to squeeze over in the corner but the referee, having awarded the try, then disallowed it after consulting Newcastle touch judge Robin Websdale.

As play moved into added time the visitors were held up on the five metre line. No try but Zak Shingler joined Yardley in the bin to leave Burntwood two players down.

Newcastle, not surprisingly, opted for the scrum but somehow they were held up over the try line as the final whistle sounded much to the relief of the home camp.

Burntwood’s final games before the Xmas break are away to Wednesbury (league) on Saturday with the 3rds hosting Wednesbury 2nds.

On Boxing Day the club holds its traditional Captain’s Ramble with a leisurely stroll around Chasewater followed by food and drink in the clubhouse. Members, friends, relatives and pets all welcome – meet at 10.30 am clubhouse car park.