This was the third time that these two sides have met this season and the third time that Burntwood have taken the honours – this time they scored eight tries altogether, including three in the first half when they faced the worst of the weather conditions.
Burntwood didn’t make the best of starts, losing Hal Gozukucuk to the sin bin after just eight minutes, but Handsworth missed the resulting penalty attempt at goal and then fell seven points behind two minutes later. A good drive from a line out had the visitors in retreat and a pass back inside enabled hooker Morgan to score on his debut for the club. Brett Taylor converted.
Handsworth missed with another penalty attempt and then within a minute of Gozukucuk returning to action the lead was doubled. Scrum half Taylor’s break was finished off by half back partner Ben Holt for a good try which Taylor converted.
Handsworth hit back and were unlucky not to score when a close range driving maul crossed the line but no try was awarded. They had two more chances to score but the hosts eventually turned solid defence into attack.
Five minutes from half time, good handling down the back line set winger Dan Garrity in motion. His pass back inside allowed Holt to score his second try to make the half time lead 19-0.
With the wind behind them, Burntwood were soon in the visitors’ 22. They elected to scrum from five metres out when given the penalty option. Possession was messy but Morgan rescued the ball to feed the backs. Another inside pass saw Gozukucuk charge to the line for the fourth try.
Hooker Morgan then scored twice in five minutes to complete a hat-trick. The first came from all his own work with an unstoppable run through centre field from the 22. Holt converted. His third try rounded off a flowing team move.
To their credit, Handsworth battled their way upfield and broke their duck with a try following a well executed switch pass.
Good hands by the home backs took them over 40 points with 12 minutes left. Centre Dan Thornton stretched his way over the line for a try converted by Morgan.
They were almost in again 7 minutes later when Morgan exchanged passes with Jon Pucci but the winger was pulled back for a foot in touch. Then Holt thought he had also completed a hat trick but the final pass to him was adjudged forward.
With time almost up, the ball ran loose from a Handsworth scrum and Gozukucuk was first to react, seizing possession and diving over the line to conclude the afternoon’s entertainment.
Having had the week off, Burntwood 1sts return to league action with the visit of Moseley Oak to The Sportsway this Saturday (January 28), kick-off 2.15 pm. The 2nds host Walsall 3rds and the 3rds are away to Aldridge 2nds.
