BURNTWOOD 2nd XV vs STAFFORD 2nd XV. 25TH FEBRUARY 2017. LEAGUE MATCH.

Burntwood 10 – 22 Stafford

Stafford travelled to Burntwood for a very muddy merit league fixture. The weather sheeted down across the ground providing a slippery surface, pools of water and difficult playing conditions for both sets of players.

The game started sluggishly as the teams struggled to battle the conditions, a slippery ball making a disjointed match of the opening encounters. Stafford had the first chance at points through a penalty but the ball spiralled wide of the posts. A strong scrum from the visitors continued to set the platform for some good attacking play and the home side had to defend strongly in their own half. Burntwood absorbed the pressure and in a bright period of play launched their own assault against Stafford. A quick penalty saw Burntwood crashing across the line for the first try of the afternoon and the lead. The teams tried to play some flowing rugby, but the weather was the winner as passes were juggled forward or footing lost. The momentum continued to change between the teams, but it was Stafford who finished strongest laying a late siege to the opposition line. Several attacks were repelled but desperate defence couldn’t prevent Dave Wareham from smashing his way across the line for the equalising score. Stafford went into half time drawing 5 -5 in an energy sapping encounter.

Making use of their substantial bench, Stafford came flying into the second half. Early pressure paid dividends as Will Turner showed good balance to collect a bobbling ball and keep his feet, crossing the line for a try and the lead, Sam Harbage adding the conversion. As Stafford continued to have the better of the play a penalty could have stretched the lead, but flew just wide of the posts. Burntwood had to defend deeply, but with the Stafford scrum still causing chaos a charging Gaz Phillips peeled from the back driving the opposition over the line for the third try. As the match moved into the final quarter a loose ball was poached by Burntwood to grab their second try of the match. With the ball back in Stafford hands, the visitors marauded all over the pitch only halted by strong defending or emerging water obstacles. The visitors continued to batter against the equally determined home side, but an excellent series of attacks saw the ball into the hands of Will Turner to cross the line for the final try of the match.