Burntwood’s unbeaten start to the league season was comprehensively ended by second placed Eccleshall.
The visitors emphasised their promotion credentials by re-writing the record books in fixtures between the sides which Burntwood has dominated in recent seasons.
With the wind at their backs in the first half, Eccleshall were soon in the home 22 and five minutes of pressure were rewarded with a penalty goal to open the scoring.
The hosts played well from the restart with Will Peach’s line kicking working his side upfield. However, on their first visit to the opposition 22 they were penalised to allow the visitors to clear.
Eccleshall tested the home defence with a series of close range attacks in the bottom corner. Burntwood held out until a clearance kick was run back at them. A switch move created a clear pathway to the home line for the first of Eccleshall’s seven converted tries.
Burntwood got back into the game courtesy of a gift try four minutes later. The visitors tried to run the ball out of their own 22 only for the ball to run loose for skipper Ben Holt to collect and score. Peach added the conversion from in front of the posts.
Eccleshall hit back in determined fashion to catch Burntwood offside in their own 22 and the goal attempt was converted for 13-7. Another attempt on the half hour mark was right of the target.
The hosts seized on a mistake to turn the tide of play four minutes later. Holt fed Rob Jones who linked well with Aza Dunet but the centre was brought down on the visitors’ 22 line.
Eccleshall then moved clear with two converted tries before the break. Their No. 8 gave them good field position with a storming run into the home 22. His offload would have created a try but for a last ditch tackle.
However, Eccleshall scrummaged close to the home line. Dave Yardley snaffled the ball to prevent a score but at the second attempt the visitors’ pack made no mistakes to score a pushover try.
Despite good work by Josh Canning at the restart his side conceded a penalty which was kicked to the clubhouse corner. The line out was caught and driven over for the converted score and a half time lead of 27-7.
Three more points were added seven minutes into the second period when Burntwood went off their feet at a ruck.
The try of the day followed just three minutes later. The visitors moved the ball amongst backs and forwards, inside and out, for the bonus point try scored by their impressive No. 5.
A 30 point deficit finally prompted Burntwood into action. They launched their best attack of the game thus far, helped by the opposition conceding a couple of penalties. They attacked right then left to create a three on two which Dunet exploited for a slickly taken try. Peach converted with 56 minutes on the clock.
More promising play from the restart suggested that they might still get something out of the game but this faint hope ended after 63 minutes. From a scrum on halfway, the Eccleshall No. 8 fended off three would-be tacklers in a run to the line.
Dunet almost reduced the deficit after a strong run which took him close to the line. It set up a period of close range pressure but a forward pass and then solid defence prevented any score.
Eccleshall moved past the half century on 73 minutes when their full back outpaced a now shell-shocked home defence and then the right winger scored as a demoralised home side ran out of tacklers.
The match ended with Eccleshall over the line again but the final pass was adjudged forward which provided scant consolation for the hosts.
Burntwood will hope to get the show back on the road this Saturday with a trip into Derbyshire to face Amber Valley in the Second Round of the RFU Senior Vase competition. Other senior fixtures are TBA.
