Back to back away wins for Burntwood keep their hopes of avoiding the drop very much alive.
As the scoreline suggests, this was a close run contest with the result hanging on the final kick.
Having just taken the lead in the last minute of normal time, the visitors then had to watch the home place kicker take a penalty attempt at goal seven minutes into added time. He had landed four out of five attempts until then but this effort hung in the wind to drop short and Craig Seedhouse cleared to touch to end the game much to the visitors’ relief.
To begin with, both sides took a while to settle down. Each lost a put in at their own scrum and handling was proving difficult in a strong crosswind. The first threat came from turnover ball won by skipper Graham Shelley on eight minutes. Rhys Morgan made good progress through centrefield but his support players infringed.
However, there was a better outcome four minutes later following a line out take by Lloyd Shelley. Prop Rob Cartwright went on the charge to earn a penalty which Matt Wood converted for the opening points.
The hosts responded well, driving into Burntwood territory through the forwards but promising positions were lost by both sides for much of the half as the error count mounted.
It was not until the closing moments of the first half that the scoreline changed dramatically. First, AOE levelled the scores with a penalty having seen another attempt just miss the target four minutes earlier.
But straight from the restart, Wood chipped over the home defence and re-gathered to set up an attacking ruck. Scrum half Brett Taylor sent a well-timed pass to hooker Morgan and he raced to the right corned for an excellent try to put his side 8-3 up at the break.
Now facing the slope, Burntwood’s lead only lasted nine minutes into the second period. An infringement at a scrum and then holding on in the tackle provided the home kicker with two kicks at goal for six points.
Wood almost restored the lead immediately but his penalty attempt, though good for distance, went just left of the posts.
Burntwood produced an excellent move from a line out fifteen minutes into the half. Skipper Shelley fed Hal Gozukucuk on the charge and he found Morgan who took play close to the home line. Frantic defence kept them out but at the cost of a winger going off for a yellow card.
However, during his absence, AOE kept possession well to deny the visitors taking any advantage of the extra man. Once he returned, the hosts attacked the right corner to earn a penalty which took them further ahead at 12-8.
With time running out, it looked like a losing bonus point was all Burntwood would have to show for their efforts until Wood kicked a penalty award to touch in the home 22. Possession was won and moved wide. When it was moved back to the right, Morgan held the ball up well for Mitch Adams to make a darting run. From the ruck, Taylor chose to chip through and he followed up to touch down close to the corner flag for what proved to be the winning try.
However, Taylor, fresh from his debut for the county U20s in midweek, went from hero to villain deep into injury time when he needlessly gave away a penalty. Fortunately for him and his team this was the kick which fell short.
This Saturday (March 10) Burntwood welcome Bridgnorth to The Sportsway for their next league match, kick-off 3pm. Burntwood 3rds travel to play Spartans 4ths.
