The New Year brought Burntwood’s first home league win of the season – and in the process they completed the double over basement side Shrewsbury in what proved to be a frustrating afternoon for players and spectators alike.
The contest was punctuated by repeated infringements at the tackle area but the match official was reluctant to produce yellow cards until ten minutes into the second half.
Burntwood took the lead as early as the 11th minute but after the visitors had fought back it was not until the 68th minute that Matt Sishton went over for what proved to be the winning score.
Skipper Graham Shelley opened the scoring following Amrit Derry’s line out take. The forwards drove the ball into midfield and then back out to the right for Shelley to go through a gap and dive over. Matt Wood converted and the hosts looked well set.
Full back Sishton made a promising break from the restart but then Shrewsbury spent time in the home half, eventually earning a penalty which was converted from 35 metres for 7-3.
This score seemed to galvanise the home pack who drove deep into Shrewsbury territory. The Shelley brothers and Wood threatened the line forcing the visitors to concede a penalty. The backs tried their luck but Dan Thornton was penalised for holding on.
The clearance kick stayed in play and was returned in kind only for a Shrewsbury centre to chip over on halfway, collect a favourable bounce and race away to the posts for a converted try to put his side 10-7 up at the break.
Seven minutes into the second period, with Mark Poole on for Craig Prosser at prop, Burntwood had a glorious chance to re-take the lead. Skipper Shelley fielded a visitors’ kick and sent Sishton away over half way. He fed Wood but presented with a two on one situation his pass to Thornton went just behind him.
Three minutes later Burntwood took a scrum against the put in to set up a pick and drive to the visitors’ 5 metre line. After two more infringements Shrewsbury lost a centre to the sin bin but Wood missed the penalty shot at goal.
Another promising attack by the hosts went unrewarded and their frustrations boiled over resulting in Rob Cartwright taking a breather on the touchline for ten minutes.
Despite his absence, Wood brought the scores level on the hour with a good strike from 35 metres after Shrewsbury were penalised at a scrum.
Half backs Ian Jones and Wood kept Burntwood going forward with some useful bursts. The pressure was evident when Shrewsbury lost a second player to a yellow card and with Cartwright back on the hosts finally seized their opportunity.
A drive at a five metre scrum saw Shelley and Jones go close but with the cover sucked in, the backs moved the ball to Sishton who didn’t require the extra man to cross the line.
The visitors had a shot at goal going into the last ten minutes but the effort was scuffed to the left and the match ended with Burntwood driving for the line but the only result was another untidy pile-up.
Burntwood continue their league campaign with a trip to Stafford this Saturday (January 14). The 2nds are away to Tamworth 3rds and the 3rds are due to host Wednesbury 2nds. All matches are 2.15 pm kick offs.
