Burntwood make it 14 unbeaten with win over a resilient Clee Hill side and go 5 point clear at the top of the table, as promotion rivals Harborne fail to get a bonus point.

In a scrappy encounter at The Sportsway, Burntwood got off to the best possible start when after 2 min, good hands from the back line put away fullback Kian Carter, who smartly chipped the last defender and regathered to race away under the posts. Carter also added the conversion. The following 30 minutes both sides looked to exert some dominance, with neither really coming out on top. Good Burntwood defence denied Clee Hill close to the line on several occasions, and the host side were uncharacteristically sloppy in attack.

The deadlock was broken just after the 30 minute mark. Sustained pressure from Burntwood’s forwards allowed Billy Fisher to make yards infield. Several phases later after carries from Charles Michael and Man of the Match Alex Smail, the ball was spun out to flanker Rob Jones, who scooted over for a well worked try.

2 minutes later, Burntwood were at it again as more good forward carries gave good field position for the backs to launch an attack. Good handling in the 3/4’s set debutant Sid Whittington away on the left hand side for a score under the posts. Carter Converted. The hosts again came at Clee Hill off the kick off, with more strong carrying and neat handling from the backs. Camped in the Clee Hill 22m after some defiant defence, the last act of the half was for Ben Holt to slot an opportunistic, sweetly struck drop-goal, much to the delight of the home crowd.

The 2nd period started in much the same vein as how the 1st ended. Good forward carries from Smails, Jones and Michael allowed Holt to feed Carter, who broke through the Clee Hill ranks and unselfishly passed to Whittington to go in for his second of the day.

The tide now began to change for the home side, as they found themself the wrong side of referee Phil Everitts whistle. Using the wind to their advantage, Clee Hill began to pin back Burntwood into their 22m. Their line out maul functioned effectively, and there was no stopping the replacement prop in going over.

5 minutes later, Burntwood were in deja vu, as again, finding themselves in their own 22m after persistant penalties, another Clee Hill catch and drive went over for a try in the right hand corner. Feeling the pressure, Burntwood responded well from the restart with some strong carries from Ian Jones. However, not to buck the current trend, persistent penalties found them back in their own half yet again. Good Clee Hill possession and phases, including another catch and drive which went close, saw them found space for their winger who squeezed over in the corner.

Burntwood needed a response, and its what they got from good possession off the restart. Again, strong forward carries from Smail and Michael put Burntwood in a good attacking position deep in the Clee Hill half. Neat handling from Jones, and Carter put Luke Maddox away in the right hand corner for a try. Carter slotted an excellent conversion.

Back in the grove, again Burntwood came at Clee Hill as forwards and backs linked up well to work their way into the Clee Hill 22m. Several phases later, prop Tom Shorrock went over for a try, his 6th in 6 games. This proved to be the last meaningful play of the game, with Burntwood taking the win, albeit in a tough encounter.

The win puts Burntwood 5 points clear at the table, with 3 games left to go. Elsewhere, the Colts XV fought valiantly against a Uttoxeter side, but just fell short, losing 7-12. Try from Tyler Gillies, converted by Owen Ratley. 2nd XV had no game.

Next week, Burntwood travel to Luctonians III’s. A coach will be leaving the club at approximately 11:30am, there will be space for supporters. Please get in touch if you would like a seat. The 2nd XV are currently TBA