BURNTWOOD 1ST XV vs STAFFORD 1ST XV. 24TH MARCH 2018. LEAGUE MATCH.

Burntwood 17 – 24 Stafford

Stafford travelled to Burntwood for a top of the table clash against the league leaders. With Telford automatically being awarded five points due to a conceded fixture, it put the pressure back on a travelling Stafford in the promotion battle. Burntwood were out for revenge as the visitors were one of only two teams to have defeated the league leaders this season.

Burntwood came flying into the match at a furious pace and early hard work snatched a penalty for the lead. The Stafford defence had to work hard but a physical response along with some mighty kicking blunted the initial home side surge. Stafford worked their way back into the encounter earning a long-range penalty which flew just wide of the upright. The referee was in demand as penalties were handed out in equal measure to both teams as they competed for any advantage. Stafford looked dangerous when they were going forward and with the Burntwood try line in sight, the home side forcefully repelled several assaults but couldn’t stop Toran Spelman from crashing across the line for a try, converted by Christian Stelian. The home side found themselves under more pressure when a yellow card temporarily reduced them to fourteen on the pitch and Christian Stelian extended the lead through the subsequent penalty. Stafford pressure led to a scrum under the Burntwood posts, Dan Smith smashed through defenders before an off load to Oscar Saunders secured the second try of the afternoon, converted by Christian Stelian. With Burntwood back up to a full compliment on the field, the home side played some punishing rugby which saw them camped out on the opposition try line. A yellow card temporarily reduced Stafford to fourteen, but a resolute defence was equal to everything thrown at it until the whistle signalled the end of an exhausting half. Stafford went into half time leading 3 – 17 in a very strongly contested match which could still go either way.

A piece of sublime skill opened the second half when an attacking Will Hamplett chipped, chased and caught the ball to leave a bemused opposition standing, adding the third try of the afternoon, converted by Christian Stelian. With Stafford back up to fifteen on the pitch, it was Burntwood who were on the charge and a converted try reignited the home side score board. Burntwood continued to exert all of the pressure and a defending Stafford started to haemorrhage penalties until the referee lost patience awarding the visitors their second yellow of the afternoon leaving fourteen on the pitch. Stafford made Burntwood fight for every inch of ground but the league leaders soon secured their second converted try of the afternoon to cut the points difference to seven. Stafford responded with an assault of their own which propelled Burntwood into reverse and ended with the home side defending their own try line. With both teams hurling themselves into the closing moments of the fray neither could gain any further ground and the referee’s whistle signalled the end of an entertaining afternoon of rugby.