Burntwood were deprived of a deserved bonus point when the visitors scored a try with the last play of the game.
Just 10 minutes earlier they seemed to be on course for at least a share of the spoils when Matt Wood kicked for goal from 40 metres but his effort, though on target, just dipped under the bar.
The loss of a losing bonus point proved even more costly when the home camp learned later that two of the three sides below them in the league recorded surprising wins.
Aston Old Eds had the better of the first half. After the sides had tested each other out for the opening 15 minutes, they had the first attempt at goal but the penalty kick from 35 metres was left of the target.
Three minutes later it took a good tackle by Steve Blockley to prevent the visitors breaking away but eventually the pressure told and they went ahead on 23 minutes.
They kept the ball alive well in the bottom corner for Number 6 Lea Ross to squeeze over. The conversion made it 7-0.
Burntwood responded well via a counter attack from Rob England and then they mounted their best attack of the first period on the half hour mark. Ollie Whitehouse chipped ahead and re-gathered. This set Graham Shelley, Mark Poole and Mark Thomas on a charge into the opposition 22.
Old Eds lost a lock forward to injury and when play resumed Wood landed a penalty from 35 metres with a good strike.
Play was evenly contested until three minutes into added time. The visitors broke from the home 10 metre line and a good step by the impressive Rob Chesner took the full back to the posts for an easily converted try.
Aston Old Eds remained on the front foot at the start of the second half. It took good work by Rob Cartwright to turn the ball over close to his own line which allowed the danger to be cleared.
However, a succession of unforced errors by Graham Shelley’s side kept them pinned in their own half up to the hour mark. Wood finally turned the tide with a long touch-finder to set his side up for a dominant final quarter.
Poole, skipper Shelley and Cartwright made good progress towards the clubhouse corner, then when the ball was moved wide Wood found Whitehouse in the line. He passed to Mitch Adams but the cover forced him out close to the flag.
An infringement by the visitors allowed Burntwood to kick to the bottom corner. A line out catch and drive produced a scrum and after it was re-set, skipper Shelley stretched over the line for a try. Wood’s conversion attempt threatened the posts but slipped wide.
Wood kept the momentum with his side by gathering the re-start, chipping over and re-gathering to move play back into the visitors’ half. They were penalised for crossing and Wood made it 11-14.
Another good home attack released England but he was brought back for a forward pass. Then Old Eds were whistled for breaking early from a scrum to present Wood with a chance to level the scores. It looked a successful kick all the way but shaved the wrong side of the bar.
Another penalty award was tapped by Lloyd Shelley but all he gained was a split eyebrow and he was replaced by Dave Peplow.
The visitors had the last word when good continuity by the backs saw them touch down by the left corner flag to seal their win.
Burntwood 3rds reached the half century with eight unanswered tries away to Wolverhampton 3rds.
A one-sided first period produced seven tries for a 43-0 lead but only one converted try followed after the turnaround.
The game was as good as over after just 20 minutes during which time Burntwood ran in four tries scored by Jon Pucci (2), Chris Preston and Martin Hewitt.
Wolverhampton battled back but the visitors’ powerful pack combined with slick handling by the backs led to three more tries before the break.
Pucci completed a well-deserved hat trick, the impressive Ian Cooper and James Wright added the others. Craig Addy and Martin Ottey shared the conversions.
With the game already won, Burntwood’s second half performance was in complete contrast to the first. They over-complicated moves and never reached the heights of the opening half.
The only high spot was a 50 metre solo effort by Wright for a try converted by Addy.
Special mentions go to Craig Prosser, Cooper and Preston for fine performances throughout.
This Saturday (November 19) Burntwood travel to Bridgnorth for more league action. A coach is provided for taking players and spectators to the game – details available at the clubhouse.
The 2nds are away to Stafford 3rds, the 3rds host Rugeley 2nds and the colts, unlucky to lose away to Sutton Coldfield last Saturday, welcome Burton.
