Our U16’s hosted their third League fixture of the season with a visit from Lichfield.

Burntwood had players returning from illness but others fall away ill in their place. This on top of the team still covering some key injuries meant they were in for another challenging game. Adding the local rivalry to the mix also meant that this was always going to be a heavily contested game and it did not disappoint!

For the second match running, Burntwood took an early lead against a slightly shocked opposition. Some good driving play from the forwards covered ground quickly, finished when Connor Wesson powered through Lichfield’s defence and over the line. 5-0 Burntwood.
Lichfield recovered very quickly from this initial shock and immediately pressed back hard. Within 3 minutes the score was level.
Lichfield continued to press hard for the rest of the half. Burntwood’s defence performed well and frustrated the visitors, their play littered with penalties. However, small mistakes and fatigue resulted in Lichfield going into half time with a considerable lead following two further Try’s, one conversion and a penalty kicked. Burntwood 5-20.

The score line at half time certainly did not provide a true picture of the game so far. And there was a sense that the Burntwood lads knew this and were not ready to stop fighting.

The second half started with the same intensity that the first ended. Lichfield continued to press hard and Burntwood continued to defend well. Penalties for both teams frequently broke up play and slowed the game down but no score was recorded in the first 20 minutes of the half.
It was at this point Lewis Timms didn’t get up following a tackle and was clearly in some pain and had to come off the field and head straight to A&E.
Burntwood continued to dig deep and the defensive line started creeping forwards and the team was starting to build some momentum.
This persistence was rewarded when Connor Wesson once again powered his way over the line for his second Try of the game and a successful conversion followed from Sam Bray. Burntwood 12–20 Lichfield.
Within minutes Burntwood were applying more pressure to a panicking Lichfield team. This resulted in the ball falling with Tyler Gillies who broke for space and there was no stopping him, another Burntwood Try and conversion by Sam Bray. Burntwood 19-20 Lichfield.
With five minutes left Lichfield made several changes to their team. The visitors squad depth eventually proving too much for tired Burntwood legs as they ran in two late try’s and conversions.

Final score Burntwood 19-34 Lichfield.

It was a bitter final score following a determined and wholehearted team performance. The team should be as proud of themselves as the coaches and parents are.

Lastly…...the injury blows keep landing, as we found out later that evening that Lewis Timms had fractured his femur.
Everyone involved with Burntwood U16's wishes Lewis a speedy recovery!