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# Burntwood RUFC remain unbeaten despite Bloxwich fightback
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-rufc-remain-unbeaten-despite-bloxwich-fightback/
- Published: 2012-11-06T09:30:22.000Z
- Updated: 2012-11-06T08:30:26.000Z
- Author: Rob Forsyth
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41

Bloxwich 15 Burntwood 20  
Midlands 3 West North

Burntwood played some of their best rugby of the season in the first half to establish a healthy lead at Bloxwich – they failed to build on it in the second period but still managed to preserve their unbeaten start to the campaign with a 20-15 despite a home fightback.

However, they slip into second in the league table courtesy of Newcastle (Staffs) bonus point win away at Cleobury Mortimer.

The visitors were quickly into their stride from the kick off. Luke Rookyard darted in behind the home defence in the first minute but Lloyd Shelley couldn’t take his pass running at full tilt.

There were promising bursts by Craig Seedhouse, Shelley and Tom O’Brien but on each occasion the final pass went astray.

Seedhouse used the boot to put his side in good position in the bottom corner on 14 minutes. The Bloxwich throw in was crooked to give Burntwood a scrum five. Jack Neal caught the home back row napping with a pick up and dive over the line near the posts for the opening score. Aza Dune’t converted.

Burntwood seemed to have doubled their lead straight from the restart. Neal featured again, with a strong run into home territory. A quick ruck followed by a tapped penalty saw Hal Gozukucuk feed Ben Holt who was clean through to the try line only to be brought back for a forward pass.

The hosts got off the mark with a penalty on 21 minutes and spent the next ten minutes in the Burntwood half. They finally worked a half chance but a forward pass allowed the visitors to clear.

Good interplay by Gozukucuk, Neal and Craig Prosser turned the tide. The home full back was forced into a hasty clearance which gave the Burntwood forwards momentum at a ruck. Gozukucuk, only playing due to a delayed club suspension, burst clean through on an unstoppable 25 metre run to the line for his 4th try in two games. Dune’t’s conversion was a formality.

Again, Burntwood were positive at the restart. O’Brien, Ian Jones, Seedhouse and Shelley kept Bloxwich in their own half. An infringement at a scrum presented Dune’t with an easy three points from in front of the posts.

With half time close, the visitors continued to press. Fingertip passing by the three quarters was supported by the forwards but the attack ended with a penalty against for not releasing in the tackle.

The half ended with a dart by Bloxwich down the right wing but another infringement killed the move.

The second half was more of a stop-start affair with Burntwood never regaining the fluency they showed in the first half. To their credit, Bloxwich worked hard to get back into the game.

A prolonged attack saw Neal sent to the sin bin for an offence at a ruck. Burntwood seemed to have survived during his absence and had the chance to extend their lead but Dune’t’s penalty attempt was wide of the target.

With Neal about to return, the hosts won a penalty at a scrum. A tap and go created a try from a maul in the bottom corner to make it 17-8.

Seedhouse recovered just in time when he had a kick charged down in his own 22\. Bloxwich then had a penalty attempt on 69 minutes but the kick never threatened the posts.

Three minutes later and the home side seized on a loose ball behind a Burntwood scrum for a try close to the posts. The conversion brought the deficit back to just two points.

Dune’t calmed Burntwood nerves with a superb strike from left of the posts just a minute later as Bloxwich infringed at the kick off, for the final points of the game.

Going into time added on, Bloxwich tried to force a vital third try but twice Gozukucuk came up with the ball to force the hosts back. Another infringement allowed Seedhouse to kick to touch to end the contest.

This Saturday Burntwood travel to Kesteven in Lincolnshire for a Third Round tie in the RFU Senior Vase competition. Both sides sit 2nd in their respective leagues with identical records of played 7, won 6, drawn 1 so something has to give. They will be accompanied by the Development Squad whilst the 2nds are TBA.