Despite another close call, Burntwood RUFC are still well-placed to gain promotion and the league title.
They are three points off top spot but still with two games in hand on Moseley Oak. They are four points clear of third-placed Newcastle (Staffs) with one game in hand. Moseley Oak’s final game of the season is at home to Newcastle on Saturday (April 16).
A well-attended Yardley President’s Day seemed to inspire the hosts who took a 12 point lead after just 11 minutes. They still had a two point lead going into the last ten minutes but Graham Shelley’s side retained their composure to take the win with a converted try and a penalty before the final whistle.
Yardley were ahead inside two minutes. A well-rehearsed catch and drive from a close-range line out resulted in a try for the forwards. Then from a scrum 30 metres off their own line, Burntwood’s attempt to run the ball presented the hosts with an interception try and a straightforward conversion to make it 12-0.
The visitors forced their way into the game following these setbacks. For ten minutes they tested the home defence but errors at key moments let them down. That was until Ollie Whitehouse burst away from a line out after 23 minutes. From the ensuing ruck, prop forward Rob Cartwright charged his way through traffic to make the line for a fine individual try. Matt Wood’s conversion was timed out despite splitting the uprights.
At this point Luke Briggs went off with a leg injury to be replaced by Brett Taylor.
Whitehouse inspired his team with another break near the half-hour. Jack Neale and Mark Poole supported allowing Matt Sishton to drive infield. He was stopped but at the cost of a penalty which Wood converted for 8-12.
Just when Burntwood seemed to be back in the game, a long punt by Yardley was fumbled by skipper Shelley, for once. The ball bounced kindly for a player following up and he went in for the home side’s third try.
Replacement Taylor made a good catch and return to force a five-metre line out which Burntwood took. A chip to the other touchline led to another line out which Shelley won. Ben Holt made a good break in centre field and there was Shelley up in support to hold off two defenders to score and make amends for his earlier error.
Wood converted and then, following a series of penalties awarded to Burntwood, he kicked a penalty with the last kick of the half to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match.
Disciplined defence kept Yardley at bay early in the second period before Burntwood worked their way into opposition territory.
Yardley conceded penalties and a player to the sin bin by the 52nd minute but no points during his absence. Taylor was clear but brought back for a forward pass and Wood curled a penalty kick the wrong side of the post.
Going into the last ten minutes, Yardley mounted a drive through their forwards which produced a penalty which was goaled from wide on the left. However, straight from the restart, Taylor, Shelley and Poole provided the momentum for a try by hooker Ash Stanton which was converted by Wood.
Looking for a bonus point try, two good drives by the pack saw Ian Mapp and Lloyd Shelley denied close to the line. A resulting penalty was wide of the target but with the game going into added time, Wood sealed the win with a successful kick from another penalty award.
Yardley tried to gain a losing bonus point but first a knock on and then a forward pass cost them the chance of doing so.
This Saturday Burntwood welcome Telford Hornets to The Sportsway for a league game kicking off at 3pm. The Veterans are also at home, looking to entertain New Milton Vets who are on a reciprocal visit from Hampshire. The kick of is TBA.
Burntwood’s mini/junior section are looking for more coaches to look after their Under 10s and Under 11s squads for next season. Anyone interested should contact Julia or Jason Grundy at the clubhouse or via the contact details on the club website at www.pitchero.com/rugbyunion/burntwood.
