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# Last ditch penalty forces Burntwood RUFC to settle for a draw
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/last-ditch-penalty-forces-burntwood-rufc-to-settle-for-a-draw/
- Published: 2012-09-11T08:30:12.000Z
- Updated: 2012-09-11T06:06:17.000Z
- Author: Rob Forsyth
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41

Burntwood RUFC were denied an opening day win to the new season with the last kick of the game against Edwardians.

The home side’s place kicker kept his nerve to draw the scores level at 17-17 with a penalty goal after the visitors had outscored the hosts by three tries to two.

In truth, Rob Cartwright’s men were not at their best against a home side who were determined to make an early mark in this division, having entered it as champions of the league below.

They fell behind in the 18th minute and it took them until the 76th minute to get infront only for the Eds’ outside half to earn a share of the spoils five minutes into time added on.

Burntwood began brightly, testing the home defence in the opening five minutes before turning the ball over five metres off the home line. A wayward kick by Ben Holt allowed the Eds full back to make good ground but the outside half made up for it with a fine run out of defence after good hastling at a home line out.

However, the visitors hadn’t learnt their lesson. On 17 minutes, the Eds full back took advantage of another poor kick, this time from Craig Seedhouse, to set up a counter attack. He beat four defenders before feeding his winger who then passed to a centre up in support for the try. An excellent touchline conversion opened up a seven point lead.

Burntwood responded well to this setback, taking play into the home half helped by stealing the put in at an Eds scrum and forcing the hosts to infringe. Holt kicked for the corner and from the ensuing line out Graham Shelley fed Hal Gozukucuk for a smartly-taken try after 23 minutes.

Then it was Edwardians who hit back and within five minutes they extended their lead. Line out possession was spun to the backs who worked a neat move for a try by the posts which was comfortably converted.

Five minutes from half time, with the visitors probing for an opening, Shelley finally broke the home defensive line but chose to ignore support outside and was swallowed up by the cover. Jack Neal was injured in the move and replaced. Brett Taylor was also forced off shortly afterwards.

Nick Peplow almost broke away close to half time before full back Matt Sishton made an important interception to deny the hosts another score.

The opening ten minutes of the second period proved to be scrappy with both sides aware that the next score could prove crucial to the outcome. This phase of play was ended by Burntwood who progressed to the home five metre line with better support play and clearing out at the breakdowns.

The pressure told with not one but two home players being sent to the sin bin for infringements close to their own line. However, the determination of the hosts to cover for the loss of two forwards prevented Burntwood from taking immediate advantage.

In fact Arron Dunnet had to make an important tackle to prevent the home left winger from scoring a break away try.

The pressure eventually told following a touchline break by Peplow after 63 minutes. When he was caught, Shelley burst away from the ruck and fended off the last tackler for a try wide out. Holt’s conversion hit a post.

With Eds restored to their full line-up they tested the visitors’ defence but a fortunate penalty award allowed Holt to kick to the corner on 76 minutes. Luke Rookyard found Shelley with his line out throw and a well-controlled drive to the line was finished off by Gozukucuk for his second try. Holt’s conversion helped put his side ahead for the first time in the afternoon.

Just when the home defence looked to have kept a prolonged Eds attack out, a penalty given for a high tackle was successfully converted to herald the final whistle.

Burntwood 2nds hosted Essington 1sts at The Sportsway. They played with passion, commitment and endeavour but couldn’t turn the result in their favour after conceding two early tries which were both well converted from wide out.

They went on to earn the lion’s share of possession for the rest of the game but only had one try to show for their efforts. It came close to half time when a well-worked move saw centre Louis Dewsbury score near the corner flag.

There were no further changes to the 5-14 scoreline although Jon Pucci was unlucky to have two efforts disallowed despite crossing the try line on each occasion.

At least there was opening day success for Burntwood 3rds. They travelled to face Tamworth 3rds and returned with a 39-24 win. They used turnover ball well although early season handling errors were evident.

Ben Poulton headed the list of try scorers with a hat tick followed by Tom O’Brien (2 plus 2 conversions)), Jordan McGinn and Corey Douglas who impressed in the loose play along with Ryan Percox.

This Saturday (September 15) Burntwood host Yardley & District – kick off 3pm. The 2nds play W’ton 3rds (A) and the 3rds welcome Handsworth 3rds.