An encouraging first period ended with Jack Johnson’s side ahead 15-14. However, despite playing down the slope after the break, their performance went downhill in more ways than one.
They enjoyed the better of the opening ten minutes, playing in and around the home 22 with repeated phase play until Veseyans eventually turned possession over near their own line.
The hosts then moved downfield and scored in their first attack. The line out option was taken at a penalty award and after the forwards tested the visitors’ defence, the ball was moved cleanly out to the left winger who scored in the corner. A fine touchline conversion made it 7-0.
Burntwood hit back with a break by Aidan Barker from his own half. He was brought down close to the posts and then his support players knocked the ball on. However, scrum pressure won a penalty and Lloyd Smith-Coates, on debut, was able to beat his man wide out for an unconverted try.
The visitors were then forced into a rearguard action for the next 15 minutes, not helped by conceding a string of penalties and the loss of Dan Clements for ten minutes for a deliberate knock-on. They defended superbly and were able to clear their lines when Veseyans were penalised for rolling after the tackle.
Barker featured again as he broke into the home half and chipped ahead. The bounce wasn’t kind but somehow the ball was worked out to Ben Finney who sped down the right wing for an unconverted try.
Three minutes later and Veseyans obtained a more favourable bounce form a chip over and scored a try followed by another good conversion to lead 14-10.
Burntwood regained the lead right on half time and it was worth waiting for. Billy Fisher broke upfield and found Alfie Dewsbury in support. When he was closed down, he fed skipper Johnson who finished off a sweeping move with another unconverted try.
The visitors suffered an early blow when lock forward Josh Canning was forced off with a leg injury at the second half kick-off. Within two minutes, Veseyans showed good continuity to go ahead again with an unconverted try.
It needed a try-saving tackle by Fisher to prevent another try but the hosts still went further ahead when they won a penalty from the subsequent goal line drop out and the kicker split the uprights for 22-15.
It was Finney’s turn to put in a try-saving tackle after a Burntwood kick was charged down near the hour mark but five minutes later a messy build-up including a possible knock-on saw Veseyans score their bonus point try which was also converted.
The writing was on the wall for Burntwood with just over ten minutes left when Luke Rookyard saw yellow. Veseyans made it 36-15 when they profited from a kick through and Burntwood failed to ground the ball over the line.
At least they salvaged a try bonus point with the last play of the match. Rookyard returned to the field and picked off an overthrown Veseyans’ line out close to their own line for a gift try.
The only other Saturday action for the club saw the colts earn a close win at Longton 7-5 in their first league game of the season.
This Saturday, which is Burntwood’s Patrons’ Day, Jack Johnson’s side play their first home match of the season when they welcome Crewe and Nantwich for a 3pm kick off. Dan Black’s second team resume action with a trip to near-neighbours Willenhall 2nds.