While most eyes were trained on the adjoining pitch where Stoke were playing – and eventually defeating – Market Rasen & Louth in the Midlands RFU Intermediate Cup Final, Burntwood 2nds turned in an impressive performance to beat Stoke’s Development side.
A blend of old heads from the 3rds/Vets combined with younger players from Burntwood’s own emerging talent twice came from behind to take the Merit points.
Stoke took the lead with a converted try following some well-timed passing to evade the visitors’ defence.
Mitch Carless, who proved influential with his range of passing and kicking from hand, reduced the arrears with a penalty before converting a fine try by Luke Briggs.
Stoke regained the lead with a try only for Dan Thornton to break away for a score under the posts. Carless made it 17-12 with the conversion.
Hal Gozukucuk and Nick Peplow put Burntwood 15 points clear with a try apiece before Stoke hit back with a converted try to put the result back in the balance.
However, the visitors’ made the game safe with a try by Scott Slater.
Julian Ewer, Jack Neale, Pete Reynolds and Gozukucuk were impressive in the forward battle whilst the backs clicked on the day to produce a fine win.
This Saturday (April 9) Burntwood travel to play a league game at Yardley & District, a fixture which forms part of their President’s Day. Yardley defeated promotion rivals Newcastle (Staffs) last Saturday so a tough game is in prospect. The 2nds are in Merit Table action away to Wolverhampton 2nds.
This Friday night Burntwood welcome Scottish tourists Wayside Drumpellier to The Sportsway. They are bringing a party of 90 for fixtures against the home club’s U13s and U14s and with Burntwood U15s away on tour themselves, Spartans take on the U15 fixture. The kick offs are at 6, 7 and 8 pm respectively for what should be a lively night’s entertainment.
