Burntwood RUFC earned a losing bonus point at Portway but could have achieved more with fewer errors and better place kicking.
The home kicker landed three out of four penalty attempts but the visitors missed three kickable chances out of three.
There was little to choose between fourth placed Dixonians and bottom but one Burntwood particularly in the forwards but the hosts had the edge in the backs who linked better than the re-shuffled line up on duty for Graham Shelley’s men.
The visitors made a promising start. From the kick off, lively winger Mitch Adams featured twice in an attack which created a three on two but a loose pass ended the move – a sign of things to come.
A series of errors allowed Dixonians to pressure the Burntwood try line after eight minutes but they were also guilty of poor handling and the ball was cleared to halfway.
The visitors then conceded 13 points in eight minutes, all from errors or infringements. A punt into their own half was fumbled to present Dixonians with a scrum in the 22. When the ball was moved wide, the outside centre slipped through a gap for an easy try and conversion.
Two minutes later and good passing by the hosts from 22 to 22 earned a penalty for 10-0. Another penalty conceded at the restart saw the ball punted back into Burntwood territory and with 23 minutes gone Lloyd Shelley was yellow carded and the resulting penalty was kicked for 13-0.
To their credit, Burntwood stepped up a gear during Shelley’s absence. Their best attack featured Rob England coming into the line from the blind side wing. Adams sent Ollie Whitehouse clear but he was brought back for a forward pass. Then Matt Sishton and Ian Jones made progress into the home half but another dropped pass killed the move.
Dixonians profited from more indiscipline well into stoppage time. A penalty plus 10 metres allowed the home kicker to split the uprights again. There was still time for Adams to show his paces. He beat the first man but the second forced him into touch.
Adams was involved again five minutes into the second period. His burst through the middle set the forwards picking and driving to earn a penalty but Craig Seedhouse put it wide of the target.
A big tackle by pocket battleship Adams kept the hosts in their own half and their possession and territory eventually paid off in the 57th minute.
From a line out, the forwards drove twice before releasing the backs. Jones and skipper Shelley darted for the line and then Lloyd Shelley was there to touch down. Seedhouse converted.
Dixonians almost wiped out that score from the restart with their No. 8 charging for the posts but when the ball was fed back it was fumbled and cleared.
With replacements Ben Holt, Craig Prosser and Ben Poulton all on for Burntwood and ex-Burntwood player Steve Roberts forced off with injury for Dixonians, play was disjointed for a while. They hooked a penalty left and then the visitors finally broke out of their own half with 10 minutes of normal time left.
Seedhouse pushed a penalty attempt right of the posts and then, after Whitehouse and Rob Cartwright had earned another chance from even closer, Jones hit a post with his kick.
Burntwood did manage to get within bonus point range after 75 minutes. This time Dixonians were guilty of indiscipline, conceding a penalty and then another 10 metres. The forwards tapped and drove to present Seedhouse with a drop goal.
Despite seven minutes of stoppage time, Burntwood couldn’t put a move together to clinch the win. In fact, it was Dixonians who went closest in the final attack but yet another knock-on signalled the final whistle.
Burntwood complete the first half of their league campaign with the visit of Tamworth this Saturday (December 17). The 2nds host Handsworth 2nds and the 3rds are away to HMYOI Brinsford. Following the matches, Burntwood members and guests can enjoy the club’s Christmas Party in the clubhouse with DJ Pete McKenzie – tickets £5.
On Boxing Day Burntwood hold their traditional Club Captain’s Ramble – meet 10.30am at the clubhouse for a stroll around Chasewater followed by food and refreshments in the warmth of the Sportsway club.
