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# Burntwood RUFC suffer their first defeat of the season
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/burntwood-rufc-suffer-their-first-defeat-of-the-season/
- Published: 2012-11-13T13:00:32.000Z
- Updated: 2012-11-13T08:28:44.000Z
- Author: Rob Forsyth
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41

Burntwood RUFC’s first defeat of the season cost them a place in the Fourth Round draw of the RFU Senior Vase.

They looked to be heading for a big loss early in the second half when they trailed 22-6 but yellow cards proved costly for both sides and allowed the visitors to make a real game of it, with a 30-20 final score.

Kesteven, who also went into the game with an unbeaten record, capitalised on Burntwood errors in the first half to pull clear. Having missed a penalty attempt on three minutes, they scored the first try of the game just four minutes later. An awkward bounce from a tapped line out was seized on by the Kesteven No. 7 who touched down in the corner.

The visitors replied with an Aza Dune’t penalty after 16 minutes following good play by Zak Shingler and Graham Shelley who exchanged passes into the home 22.

However, another error at a line out gave Kesteven a scrum on the visitors’ 10 metre line. The Kesteven 7 found a gap close to the scrum and raced clean away to the posts for a converted try.

The hosts were full of confidence and went further ahead on the half hour mark. They had the Burntwood scrum in trouble, won possession and created an overlap for a try wide left.

Good tackling by Brett Taylor and the Shelley brothers prevented further damage before Dune’t kicked a second penalty after he, Shingler and Ben Holt featured in Burntwood’s best attack so far.

Unfortunately, Holt suffered an ankle injury forcing a re-shuffle in the three quarters with Rob Jones coming on at full back.

With the slope in their favour in the second period, Burntwood were quickly into home territory via the Shelleys and Craig Prosser. They earned a penalty but Dune’t’s kick was just left of the target.

Another error, this time a loose kick out of defence, set Kesteven up for their 4th try and a 22-6 lead with 35 minutes to go.

Graham Shelley inspired his side with a storming run from a scrum up to the home five metre line. From another scrum, Shelley, Taylor and Jack Neal all went close before the home hooker was sin binned.

The visitors’ decision to opt for the scrum proved correct as they drove over the line for Shelley to score and Dune’t to convert.

Eight minutes latter and a second home player was yellow carded, this time for a late hit on Lloyd Shelley as he charged down the left touchline.

Two minutes later and Burntwood were right back in the contest. Shingler tapped a five metre penalty award and fed Elliott Tomlinson who scored. Dune’t converted to reduce the deficit to just two points.

With Kesteven restored to full numbers, it was Burntwood’s turn to lose a player to a yellow card when try-scorer Tomlinson was called for a high tackle. The resulting penalty was converted to put the hosts five points ahead.

There was a frantic spell of play with Burntwood trying to run the ball out of defence and Kesteven trying to make the most of their one man advantage. It was the home side which came out on top by stretching the visitors’ defence both sides before crossing in the left corner.

Burntwood tried to claw their way back but were not helped when Matt Sishton was forced off with damaged ribs. Neal and Luke Rookyard, both forwards, made an unlikely centre partnership until the final whistle.

A last thrust by Shingler saw another home player binned for a dangerous tackle but there was little time left for Burntwood to take advantage. The match ended with Jones being bundled into touch close to the line.

This Saturday Burntwood resume their league campaign when they welcome Handsworth to The Sportsway. The seconds make the reverse trip and the Development Squad play Rugeley 2nds away.