Newport (Salop) 2nds arrived at The RCI Sportsway on the back of a five match winning streak. It looked like that run would continue as they led 26-7 at half time. However, 32 unanswered points by the hosts in the second half completed a remarkable turnaround.
The visitors were ahead as early as the 2nd minute. Their No. 6 darted through a gap from a penalty award and scored under the posts to make it 7-0.
Brett Taylor’s penalty attempt seven minutes later rebounded off a post but he levelled the scores three minutes later when he converted a try scored by Hal Gozukucuk. The No. 8 received the ball after Newport had initially held up a line out catch and drive and he was able to cross unopposed.
The visitors had the better of play for the next ten minutes until Ben Holt stole possession to set up a great counter attack with Billy Fisher leading the way. However, not only did Newport recover but Burntwood went down to 14 when Tye O’Connor was yellow carded for a high tackle.
Newport took advantage of the extra player to score 12 points during O’Connor’s absence. A forceful run to the clubhouse corner earned a try and then on 29 minutes a good attack down the opposite flank was finished off by the No.7 under the posts for a converted try.
Despite O’Connor’s return, Newport scored their bonus point try right on the stroke of half time. They broke out of their own half with speed and then strength to cross and convert to leave Burntwood staring down the barrel of a heavy defeat.
They needed an early score in the second period to give themselves hope and they got it three minutes in. Taylor’s kick downfield set up a sustained attack with Holt, skipper Josh Canning and Luke Rookyard threatening the line before possession was moved wide for Kian Carter to score in the clubhouse corner. Taylor’s conversion attempt fell just short of the bar.
Newport hit back with a prolonged attack in the home 22 but crucially the home defence held and then won a penalty which allowed them to clear the danger.
The last half an hour of play belonged to the hosts. First, Tom Shorrock was close to a chip through but fell just short of the line then, on 55 minutes, Holt received scrummage possession in the visitors’ 22 and dummied his way through to the line wide left to make it 17-26.
Four minutes later, Burntwood won line out ball on the Newport 22 and Taylor burst round the tail to score a fine individual try under the posts plus the conversion to narrow the deficit to two points.
The visitors were now struggling to get out of their own 22 as the hosts battled to take the lead. Gozukucuk, Rookyard and Canning all went close with the latter crossing the line but unable to ground the ball in traffic.
As the penalty count mounted, Newport lost a player to a yellow card and Shorrock put his side ahead with a strong drive to the line for an unconverted try. He went close again with ten minutes left but the move ended with a penalty award which Taylor kicked to extend the gap to six points.
The comeback was sealed with two minutes left. The home pack drove Newport off their own put in at two scrummages and from the second Gozukucuk popped a pass out to Dan Clements who fought his way over the line for a try near the right corner. Taylor added a good conversion to complete the scoring.
The only blot for Burntwood was a late red card for Carter who was sent off for dissent.
Burntwood 2nds travelled to face second placed Newport (Salop) 3rds. They lost 53-17 although the final scoreline was harsh on a spirited display by the team.
This Saturday, Burntwood 1sts travel to play Shrewsbury, the 2nds welcome Telford 2nds and the 3rds are away to St Leonard’s 2nds.