> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Newcastle (Staffs) RUFC 8 Burntwood RUFC 17 - URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/newcastle-staffs-rufc-8-burntwood-rufc-17/ - Published: 2011-03-15T11:30:54.000Z - Updated: 2011-03-15T09:07:57.000Z - Author: Rob Forsyth - Tags: Sport, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:32 Burntwood RUFC’s title challenge is back on track following back to back wins over their two nearest rivals for league honours. Just a month earlier, Newcastle had inflicted the first league defeat of the season on Graham Shelley’s men at The Sportsway so they were clearly fired up for this encounter. They controlled the ball for long periods, particularly in the first half, to deny the dangerous home backs the possession they needed on a well-prepared home pitch. Even so, despite dominating the opening half, Burntwood still found themselves 8-7 down at the break, the hosts having capitalised on two errors following rare excursions into the visitors’ half. They hit back with two tries after the turnaround to take the league points. The opening five minutes were all played in the home 22 as Newcastle conceded three quick penalties. Burntwood elected to take a five metre scrum at the third but this only resulted in a snatched drop goal attempt by Craig Seedhouse which was wide of the target. A dramatic turn of events in the next five minutes saw skipper Shelley go to the sin bin for an offence at a ruck and then Newcastle’s first excursion into the opposition half brought them a try after ten minutes. A kick deep into the Burntwood half bounced unkindly for Matt Wood. His fly-hacked clearance rebounded off a follow up player and Newcastle were in for a touchdown near the left corner. Burntwood responded with good, driving play from half way. Seedhouse found Matt Sishton who fed back inside for Lloyd Shelley to continue the move up the left touchline. A sustained and controlled attack by the forwards was finished off by lock forward Ian Mapp for a try converted by Wood – and all this while Shelley languished in the sin bin. On his return, Burntwood continued to keep their hosts on the back foot with driving play through the pack and round the fringes. When the ball was moved out, first Wood’s pass back inside was forward, then Seedhouse stretched for the line only for the ball to slip from his grasp and then when Sishton looked to be clear, he was brought back for another forward pass. Other promising opportunities to score were lost to infringements at the vital moment. As the half came to a close, Newcastle forced their way into the visitors’ territory via a series of penalty awards. A long range kick at goal was short but a successful kick from near half way brought the half to a close at 8-7. Another long range penalty by the hosts slipped right of the posts just two minutes after the restart and then a counter attack from the home left winger took play in to the Burntwood 22, but a crossing offence allowed Seedhouse to clear. Next to threaten were Burntwood. Wood came into the line at pace and his long pass found Sishton who was dragged down close to the left corner. The ball was recycled to Craig Goodall who charged for the line but couldn’t get over. The pressure mounted on Newcastle despite Sishton leaving the field with an ankle injury to be replaced by Brett Taylor. Graham Shelley’s drive for the line was stopped just short and then Wood’s penalty attempt from 40 metres dipped below the bar. However, at another penalty award, Wood’s punt to the corner led to Burntwood retaking the lead. Amrit Derry took the line out but the drive ended with a scrum to Newcastle. Ash Stanton took the heel against the put in, No. 8 Shelley drove for the line and then the backs moved the ball to Ollie Whitehouse who squeezed over in the corner. Rob Cartwright and Derry ran the restart kick back at Newcastle before Seedhouse put the hosts back in their own 22 with a well executed punt. Both sides tested each other around the hour mark prior to the clinching try after 72 minutes. The backs handled well to set Wood racing down the left touchline. He was forced out five metres off the home line. Derry took possession from the line out and once the forwards had sucked in the cover, the backs moved the ball to Goodall who crossed wide out. With the match moving into added time, Newcastle broke out of defence but their hopes of gaining a bonus point ended firstly with a knock on and then a penalty attempt with the last kick of the game which was just wide from 30 metres. The win keeps Burntwood in second place but with a game in hand on Newcastle and two on Moseley Oak who are in top spot. This Saturday (March 19) Burntwood play a re-arranged league game at home to Yardley & District which begins a run of three home games with Wolverhampton to follow on March 26, which is also the club’s Sponsors/Patrons Day, and then Uttoxeter in midweek on March 30 in the semi-final of the Staffs Intermediate Trophy. The 2nds are TBA and the 3rds host Handsworth 2nds.