Burntwood RUFC welcomed Aldridge to The Sportsway for this club fixture which saw them experiment with their line-up.
After surviving a tough opening spell they eventually ran in seven tries, despite opting to face the elements in both halves.
Robust play by the bulky visiting forwards kept the hosts in their own half for the opening eight minutes. Ben Poulton made the first excursion into the opposition half. He provided good ball for the backs to use but winger Luke Briggs was well tackled and Burntwood found themselves back in their own territory again.
After 12 minutes the visitors had a kickable penalty but it was not one for the kicker to remember as he scuffed it badly left of the target.
Even so, 20 minutes passed before Burntwood eventually turned the tide to produce the first score of the afternoon. A good backs move allowed space for centre Craig Seedhouse to cut through to the line close to the posts. On a difficult day for place kicking, the conversion went astray.
Aldridge were still creating problems for the home side in the scrummages but when Burntwood stole an Aldridge put in they used it to good effect. The ball was moved left and then back to the right for Graham Shelley to dummy his way through to the posts. Seedhouse converted.
Close to half time the hosts won possession at a breakdown. Good handling across the pitch on halfway provided Briggs with the chance to show his paces. The winger beat three defenders as he ran round to the posts for a fine individual try. Seedhouse converted for a half time lead of 19-0.
Given this comfortable lead, and with referee Paul Daniels’ approval, Burntwood elected to play against the wind in the second period aswell. It didn’t seem to affect them as they quickly added tries from Hal Gozukucuk and Steve Blockley.
Good inter-passing on the hour mark featuring Ollie Whitehouse and Dan Thornton allowed Matt Sishton to put skipper Shelley in for his second try of the game.
The contest was finished off with a second try for Blockley.
Burntwood 3rds also entertained opposition provided by Aldridge. Despite a stop-start game, they ran in six tries on the way to a 40-7 win.
Centre Matt Filer completed a hat trick with 2 late scores to add to his first half effort. Ian Cooper touched down in each half and Nick Peplow completed the try tally. Martin Ottey converted six out of seven.
Burntwood have a tough run of three league games up till Christmas against sides in the top half of the table. They begin with the visit of table-toppers Stoke on Trent this Saturday. The 2nds welcome Burton B and the 3rds travel to face Bloxwich 2nds.
