A reshuffled pack unsettled Burntwood RUFC as they went down 21-3 against Stafford.
Without one or two key players, the balance of Burntwood’s forward play was disrupted and ultimately affected the final result.
Skippered for the first time by Rob Cartwright in the absence of Graham Shelley, Burntwood put up a good fight but were always up against it from the first whistle with Stafford scoring the game’s first try after only five minutes.
Stafford then got their second try of the fixture after ten minutes of play and soon after followed it with a penalty kick.
After 35 minutes Burntwood finally got on the scoreboard with Matt Wood kicking a penalty after Stafford had infringed at a ruck.
Stafford continued to dominate the second half and after 65 minutes were awarded a penalty which resulted in another three points for the visitors.
On the 70 minute mark Stafford took a scrum against the head in Burntwoods 22 area and scored their third try on the blind side corner.
