Burntwood RUFC were unable to delay the crowning of champions Stoke-on-Trent RUFC.
The hosts scored 17 points in the last seven minutes to produce a scoreline which was harsh on Burntwood who had won their fair share of possession and had tried to take the game to their illustrious opponents.
The opening 15 minutes were promising for Graham Shelley’s men. They retained possession well to make limited progress into the home half and only conceded a straightforward penalty goal from infront of the posts after eight minutes.
Stoke played a conservative game, kicking the ball for position rather than using their potent back division and it paid dividends on 17 minutes. A penalty kick to the corner led to a catch and drive over the line for a try which was excellently converted.
Six minutes later Stoke staged a repeat with another try in the same corner and a second touchline conversion.
Burntwood finally got into the home 22 after 36 minutes but the position was lost due to a crooked line out throw. The loose ball was fly-hacked downfield to give Stoke a 5 metre scrum which they controlled well for a pushover try and a 22 point lead at the break.
The hosts used their backs for the first time early in the second period but now it was Matt Wood who was turning them back with some long range line kicking.
Burntwood’s best attack followed pressure on a Stoke scrum. Quick passing by skipper Shelley, Hal Gozukucuk and Craig Prosser provided winger Luke Briggs with the ball but he was forced into touch.
A combination of scrambling defence and some wayward passing by Stoke kept the scoreline unchanged past the hour mark but then they cut loose with an excellent long range try. The right winger fielded a kick and counter attacked. Two passes infield and the scrum half was away to the posts for a seven pointer.
With ten minutes left, Burntwood mounted a promising attack with Lloyd Shelley and Wood both darting for the posts but the sustained move ended in an infringement which allowed Stoke to clear.
In the last minute of normal time the home backs combined well for a length of the field converted try. Four minutes later the forwards completed a hat trick of line out catch and drive tries and then the last piece of action saw a prop forward fend off two tacklers for a try down the touchline.
This Saturday (March 31) Burntwood stage their Sponsors/Patrons Day with a buffet prior to their league match against Edgbaston Dixonians which kicks off at 3pm. The 2nds are at home to Stafford 3rds and the 3rds are away to Rugeley 2nds.
