Burntwood 18 vs Whitchurch 47
On a cold windy afternoon near the Cannock Chase Whitchurch found themselves going against the strong wind in the first half, but it only took the visitors 3 minutes before Liam Udy used his strength to run over from the 22 metre line which Robbie Leighton converted to go 7 points up. Burntwood were never going to be an easy game following their win at Crewe and Nantwich and the their big forwards scored from a driving maul to get them on the scoreboard 5 minutes later. They were then awarded a penalty which they converted to go 8:7 up on the 20 minute mark. Whitchurch then had captain Ian Gillespie making a good charging run and after being dragged down the ball was picked up by the alert scrum half Max Clarke who side stepped a couple of defenders to score under the posts for Leighton to convert. The visitors then started to pile on the pressure, and a defensive drop kick was caught by Tom Smith who ran towards the line but when finally tackled the experienced prop Steve Bloore was there to drive over for another try by the posts for Leighton to put over again. The home side then with he wind behind them pinned the Reds in their own half and the visitors kept them out until it was spread wide for their winger to score in the corner. Liam Udy then had to go off injured after nearly getting his second try of the game and Elliott Horton came on desperate to impress to get back into the first team. He didn’t disappoint catching the ball and making a strong run before passing to Ben Mason who used his long strides to beat 4 defenders to score under the posts to leave the score at half time 13:28
With the wind behind them Max Clarke made a break and passed to Leighton who then spun it wide to Caeran Dunne to score in the corner which Leighton continued his 100% record with a great conversion. It was the pairing of last years colts team Harry Jackson and Tom Tilley with Jackson making some good yards before passing to Tilley who out run the defence to score in the corner. The next try came from an improved scrummaging performance by Whitchurch in the second half and after a good forward drive the ball was passed to Leighton who jinked through passing to James Marvell to score under the posts again for Leighton to convert. There was then a clash of heads between Oscar Crossen and Jame Marvell and both players went off with cuts to the head and in he final 5 minutes and Burntwood never gave up scoring another try in the corner with a breakaway try from their own 22 metre line. The final whistle was then blown with Jimmy Hockenhull returning to the first team as man of the match and a convincing win for Whitchurch with a bonus point 17 : 47.
This Whitchurch team is coming along nicely under the new coaching staff, and it is so good to 7 of last years colts starting and not looking out of place. The speed that the backs can move the ball is exciting to watch and the young forwards of Henry Appleby, Oscar Crossen and Tom Wynn all made contributions working along side the more experienced players. The first team have a free weekend next Saturday, their next game 7th. February against Bromsgrove at home in the North Mids Cup.
