It was a case of “After the Lord Mayor’s Show” for Burntwood in their opening league match of the season away to newly-promoted Willenhall. A week earlier they won the Staffs Intermediate Trophy Final with a performance full of power and control but those qualities were lacking on Saturday as the hosts ran out 31-12 winners.
Neil Holden’s side held a slender 12-10 lead at the break but went scoreless in the second period as the home side ran in three converted tries.
Willenhall had the chance to open the scoring in the first minute but a penalty goal attempt slipped just right of the posts.
It was Burntwood who went ahead four minutes later. Sound defence halted a Willenhalll attack in their own 22 and full back Aidan Barker kicked, chased and collected to set up a series of carries by the forwards from the halfway line. Close to the try line, Alfie Broadhurst dived over for a try which he also converted.
The home place kicker missed with another penalty attempt on eight minutes prior to Burntwood mounting a good attack which ended in a penalty against, which became a recurring theme for the visitors throughout the afternoon.
A front of the line out move close to the home try line saw Luke Rookyard cross for a score but it was ruled out for a forward pass and then Willenhall moved upfield helped by a series of penalty awards. A kick to the left corner set up a dynamic drive to force Burntwood into retreat. When the ball was moved infield, influential inside centre Nathan Brown caught and passed in one movement to send a wing forward in close to the posts for a converted try to level the scores.
On 27 minutes, Burntwood regained the lead following their own driving maul from a line out. They were stopped close to the posts but the referee brought play back for a penalty near the touchline which was tapped to Harry Heath who crashed over for an unconverted try.
Shortly afterwards, lock forward Sam Perrins was forced off with an ankle injury which left his side short on line out options.
Five minutes before the break, the hosts caught Barker in possession to win a penalty and reduced the deficit to two points.
Both sides conceded penalties in the first ten minutes of the second period but one against Burntwood proved more costly with Lewis Owens, on debut, sent to the sin bin on 52 minutes. Willenhall missed the subsequent kick at goal but they went ahead shortly afterwards.
They broke away from their own 22 with Brown leading the way. He exchanged passes with his left winger to score a superb try which was also converted from the touchline.
Burntwood hit back with Rookyard collecting the restart kick to set up a series of determined pick and go’s. The hosts conceded two penalties, the second of which saw the home full back yellow carded. A close range line out drive ended with skipper Holden crossing the line to claim a try but the referee thought otherwise and penalised his side’s protests with a penalty plus ten metres which allowed Willenhall to clear.
Just as Owens returned, Rookyard replaced him on the touchline for an act of dissent. Repeated penalties against saw the hosts pin Burntwood in their own 22 and they extended their lead from a close range forward drive.
The bonus point try arrived with ten minutes remaining, a well-worked effort from close range.
Burntwood’s best move of the game came with time almost up but having established a good field position through backs and forwards combining, line out possession was stolen and kicked to touch to end a disappointing display by the visitors.
It was an even tougher day at the office for Burntwood 2nds who went down 71-7 away to Essington in their opening league match. The forwards encounter was fairly evenly-matched but it was no contest in the backs as the home side exposed a flimsy defence. Matt Wenlock-Evans converted his own try for Dan Black’s team.
The one bright spot on the opening day came from Burntwood colts who returned from Trinity Guild with a 50-0 win.
This Saturday the 1sts are on the road again with a trip to Newport (Salop) 2nds whilst the 2nds welcome Telford Hornets 2nds to the RCI Sportsway.