Second half replacement Halil Gozukucuk scored a superb individual try three minutes from time to take Burntwood RUFC into their first ever semi-final of the senior county cup.
The home side trailed 24-11 well into the final quarter but a three try burst in the last 15 minutes was crowned by Gozukucuk’s rampaging run from 40 metres to get his side off to the best possible start to the new season.
It was the only time Burntwood lead throughout the game having found no joy through Leek’s solid midfield and cover defence for much of the match.
From the start the hosts put themselves under pressure by not collecting the Leek kick off. The visitors’ had already been held up once over the home line before they scored in the right corner via three slick passes down the blind side of a scrum.
Graham Shelley’s men were forced to defend for the rest of the opening quarter but they were up to the task, restricting Leek to a penalty kick at goal which went wide.
Burntwood’s first excursion into the visitors’ territory came courtesy of full back Dan Garrity who impressed in his new role. A fine catch on the run was followed by good progress through midfield.
The attack gained momentum from Ollie Whitehouse darting forward from a tapped penalty and when Leek infringed again, Steve Blockley got his side off the mark with a well-struck penalty goal.
After half an hour, Leek extended their lead following a good spell of continuity which eventually breached the home defence for a converted try.
Burntwood came back well via Ben Holt’s fine restart kick. Blockley had the chance to kick his second goal but was wide of the target but right on half time the hosts made it 8-12.
A burst by Lloyd Shelley had Leek backtracking. An overlap to the right was lost due to a loose pass but possession was rescued, moved left and Garrity put Matt Sishton in for a try in the corner.
With the wind at their backs for the second period, Burntwood were soon attacking in the clubhouse corner. Shelley’s line out take was mauled close to the line and then Ian Jones and Jack Neal’s bursts for the line were held up. The latter was injured in the move which paved the way for Gozukucuk’s entrance.
Burntwood’s pressure was rewarded when Craig Seedhouse dropped a goal to cut the deficit to a single point.
Stung into action, the visitors made good ground, helped by a loose kick on halfway. Leek’s full back collected, evaded several tacklers and found his support for a fine team try.
Going into the last quarter, Burntwood were pressing for a reply with skipper Shelley and Garrity both testing the visitors’ defence but Leek broke out via their backs for another fine try, this time by the posts so the conversion made it 11-24.
The hosts hit back through the forwards. Inspired by skipper Shelley, they went close twice before electing to chip a penalty award to the corner. The pack mauled the line out possession over for Jones to celebrate his return to the club with the touchdown. Blockley’s fine conversion left his side with six points to make up and less than ten minutes to go.
Two minutes from the end of normal time, Burntwood produced a carbon copy of the previous try. This time it was stand-in hooker Tony Davies who emerged from the pile-up to claim the try. Blockley’s conversion attempt was pulled left.
A couple minutes into added time and with Burntwood seeming to have to settle for an honourable defeat, Gozukucuk had other ideas. Hitting the line at pace close to a ruck on the Leek 10 metre line, his run proved unstoppable as he crashed over in the clubhouse corner to clinch an unlikely win.
The hosts managed to see out the remaining three minutes to secure their passage into the semi-final.
Burntwood begin life in Midlands 2 West North with a home game against Old Saltleians at The Sportsway this Saturday (September 10). The 2nds and 3rds also begin the season at home to Lichfield 3rds and Essington 2nds respectively. All kick offs are 3pm.
On Sunday morning several junior sides take to the field with the U16s at Stafford and the U13s, U14s and U15s all away to Tamworth.
