It is the 5th time that the club has won the trophy since its inception in 2002 when Burntwood were also the winners. It is four seasons in a row that they have appeared in the final but they had finished as runners-up in the last two.
Going into the final, which had been held over from last season due to fixture congestion, both sides had played a series of warm-up games but this was the first competitive outing of the new campaign so it was difficult to choose a favourite. However, Burntwood’s forward power dominated proceedings, allowing them to score six tries to two by Newcastle.
Both sides made progress into each others’ 22 in the opening half hour but without reward until a burst of three tries in six minutes got the scoreboard moving.
Burntwood were off the mark first following a penalty kick to the right corner. A catch and drive was finished off by Luke Rookyard in the corner. Alfie Broadhurst’s conversion attempt stalled in the stiff crosswind and fell short.
An error at the restart followed by a penalty award allowed the Potteries’ side to mount pressure deep inside the Burntwood 22. When they spread the ball out left the try was scored and a fine conversion from near the touchline edged Newcastle ahead 7-5.
The lead was shortlived as Burntwood made progress from the kick off, helped by two penalty awards, the second of which cost a Newcastle player a yellow card. Harry Heath went close from a tap and go penalty before scrum half Jack Butcher dotted down for the score near the left corner. There was no conversion but more good work from Heath and Dan Clements set up good field position to earn a penalty which Broadhurst kicked to end the half at 13-7.
A patient build-up by Burntwood opened the second period but Newcastle’s dominant tackling in the backs prevented a score. They cleared downfield via a penalty award but back came the Sportsway outfit with skipper Neil Holden leading the way with a storming run through centre field. Ben Holt found the touchline with a great kick into the Newcastle 22. The forwards won the line out and then scrummaged strongly for Holden to dive over to make it 18-7.
On the hour mark, another strong scrum effort shoved Newcastle off their own ball and Holt popped the ball to Broadhurst who scored and then converted his own try. However, a brief skirmish in the dead ball area saw Butcher yellow carded.
Full back Aidan Barker was next to feature for Burntwood as he made an electrifying break from his own 22 to the opposition ten metre line but his support players infringed when he was finally tackled.
New Head Coach Dave Kirby made use of his replacements in the final quarter which included four players on 1st team debut.
Broadhurst was just right of the posts with a penalty goal attempt from near halfway after a scrum offence but he made no mistake with his conversion of Heath’s first try on 74 minutes. The powerful No. 8 had done the spade work with a run into the 22 to earn a penalty. The tap and go option was taken and he forced his way over near the posts.
Moving into time added on, Heath repeated the act but this time he dived over from a line out in the left corner to complete Burntwood’s tally.
There was still time for Newcastle to mount their first attack for some time and they kept possession alive well for an unconverted try in the right corner. The final whistle sounded with the missed kick and the Holden collected the trophy to the delight of the Burntwood camp.
This Saturday sees the start of the delayed league season. Burntwood 1sts open with a run of three away fixtures, the first of which is at near neighbours Willenhall. The 2nd team are at nearby Essington.