With two rounds of games to go, it is still all up for grabs between the top three sides in the chase for promotion after Burntwood RUFC won 30-0 against Telford Hornets.
All three hopefules earned bonus point wins on Saturday although Ludlow are still favourites to lift the title.
With several regulars absent due to injuries or unavailability, Burntwood pressed the likes of back rower Graham Shelley into service along with Ollie Whitehouse and James Langford into a re-shuffled back division and they didn’t disappoint.
The scoreline may be harsh on the visitors but what Burntwood lacked in creativity they made up for in solid defence to deny Telford a single score.
Sean Latham’s side gradually worked their way into the game, going through the phases in a patient build-up which earned a penalty goal for Aza Dunet after eight minutes.
Telford had the chance to reply shortly after the restart but the kick at goal was right of the target.
Another patient build-up led to a second penalty attempt for Dunet from near the visitors’ 22m line and he duly obliged to put his side six points up after 15 minutes.
The home side almost crossed for the first try on 24 minutes. Josh Canning broke the defensive line but his offload close to the line only found a Telford player who scrambled the ball away.
The home defence was tested for a ten minutes period before Owen Rookyard put his side in good position with a penalty kick to touch 15 metres out. The line out possession was moved across field and a series of close range drives was finished off by Luke Rookyard who stretched over the line for a try with five minutes left of the half.
More solid defence was required by the hosts from the restart but again they were up to the task and worked their way back upfield to win another penalty. They went for the line out option but when Owen Rookyard received possession he tried to find his winger with a crossfield kick but only found touch.
Sean Brennan prevented Telford from capitalising on a handling error at the restart to the second half by winning turnover possession.
Billy Fisher featured twice in the attack which led to Burntwood’s second try on 47 minutes. He began it by racing into Telford territory from his own half. Shelley was in support then Fisher again before Rookyard went over for his second try. Dunet added the extras for 18-0.
The decisive moment came just four minutes later. With Telford threatening in the home 22, Langford intercepted to run three-quarters of the length of the pitch for a try under the posts which Dunet converted.
Telford hit back strongly but again the hosts’ defence was solid on their own 22m line. Replacement Jake Ranson put in a key tackle but it also ended his brief appearance as he was forced off the field with a facial injury.
Pat Bayliss was the next to win turnover possession just after the hour mark and it led to the bonus point try. The ball went through the hands for Fisher to go on another good run. Possession was moved left for
Adam Black to break through a tackle and score near the clubhouse corner.
With the bonus point win secure, Burntwood still worked hard to deny the visitors even a consolation score. At one point with five minutes left they had to chase back to stop a breakaway try. Then in the final minute a good Telford attack took play right up to the home line only for them to be crowded out in the top right corner.
The second XV hosted Ludlow 2nds and a very enjoyable contest went the way of Burntwood by 52-26.
This Saturday Burntwood play their last away match of the season at Uttoxeter. The 2nd XV welcome Wolverhampton 3rds.
