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# Hal Gozukucuk goes from villain to hero for Burntwood RUFC
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/hal-gozukucuk-goes-from-villain-to-hero-for-burntwood-rufc/
- Published: 2012-10-30T08:30:10.000Z
- Updated: 2012-10-29T14:16:45.000Z
- Author: Rob Forsyth
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41

Hal Gozukucuk went from a red card to a gold star in seven days as he ran in a second half hat trick of tries to help maintain Burntwood RUFC’s unbeaten start to the season.

He now takes an enforced absence from action but signed off in the best possible way, coming off the bench to show the rest of his side the way to the try line in their 27-14 win against Eccleshall.

Burntwood are joined at the top of the table by Newcastle (Staffs) who earned a bonus point win in trouncing Shrewsbury.

On a day when the home three quarter line lacked pace and penetration it was Gozukucuk who finished off three forward drives, all originating from dominant set piece play.

The hosts made a bright start, assisted by the visitors infringing twice to concede ground but Eccleshall had the strong breeze behind them and could relieve early pressure with long kicks to touch.

The first moment of quality came from Ben Holt on eight minutes when he broke through midfield but his long pass missed its target. Handling errors were a feature of the home side’s play in the opening quarter along with infringements at the breakdown.

The forwards showed the way when Zak Shingler popped a pass to Lloyd Shelley who took play up to the visitors’ 22\. Eccleshall were penalised and Aza Dune’t opened the scoring with a penalty goal.

The visitors almost replied four minutes later following a strong break through midfield. The left winger was found with a good pass but he chose to kick and chase and the ball ran dead.

Ironically, with half an hour gone, Burntwood’s best break led to a converted try for Eccleshall. Holt sliced through over halfway but was tap tackled. The visiting full back collected the loose ball and streaked away to the home posts from his own 10 metre line.

Shelley was then yellow carded for another infringement at the breakdown but brother Graham took play into opposition territory close to half time. Dune’t had a kick at goal following a tripping offence but missed to the left of the posts.

With the wind now behind them in the second period, it took Burntwood just four minutes to move ahead. The forwards established good position in the visitors’ 22\. They had Eccleshall in trouble at their own scrum and Gozukucuk was there to take advantage with his first touchdown. Dune’t converted.

However, ten minutes later, Eccleshall scored another breakaway try from a promising home attack. Elliott Tomlinson was caught in possession and the Eccleshall left winger had too much pace for the cover defence and went in under the posts from halfway for a converted try.

Dune’t reduced the deficit to a single point with his second penalty of the day but the best chance of a try lay with the forwards. The Shelleys, Shingler and Mark Poole all tested the Eccleshall defence and the pressure was eventually rewarded on 65 minutes.

A penalty kick to the bottom corner led to a long catch and drive finished off by Gozukucuk and converted by Dune’t.

The home forwards camped in the visitors’ 22 in the last ten minutes but didn’t apply the coup de grace until stoppage time. Graham Shelley’s excellent line out take became a pick and drive all the way to the line for Gozukucuk to complete his hat trick. Dune’t added the conversion.

Burntwood continue league action with a trip to Bloxwich this Saturday. The 2nds entertain Shrewsbury 3rds and the Development Squad welcome Bloxwich. All kick offs revert to 2.15pm.