Rugeley triumph over Burntwood Development

Rugeley welcomed from across the chase a development team from Burntwood rugby club, for a game of rugby in the late summer sunshine at St Augustine’s field.

The visiting team were under pressure from the young runners of Rugeley, so much so that within the first 2 minutes of the start Rugeley had made an impression on Burntwood by braking free and placed the ball over the try line only for the match official to deem it has being held up by the visitors.
Burntwood were awarded a scrum only to be turned over by Rugeley and with frustration conceded a penalty only for Rugeley to squander the opportunity to put points on the board.
This lack of point was not to last long as in the 8th minute, this seasons 1st team captain Nathan Homer was able with a great set play by David Bagnal and Jack Richards was able to run a 30mtrs dash for the try line and put Rugeley’s first of 9 try’s against the visitors.
From the restart Rugeley was in complete control and regained possession and Homer repaid the compliment to Bagnall with some great support enabling Bagnall to score right under the nose of the opposition. All this and only 11 minutes of the game had passed 10-0 to Rugeley.
Burntwood now licking then wounds of a dented pride started to put together a glimmer of hope with some quite impressive set play, only for Rugeley’s young and athletic team to take them apart with every move.
Once again Rugeley’s young and fit team proving too much for the visitors and with some impressive forwards play from John Cliffe & Mathew Joss Rugeley were able with some ease to push forwards and give Michael Wilkes the opportunity to put more points on the Rugeley score sheet & with the conversion by Matty Keys Rugeley were pushing ahead relative ease. 17 – 0 at the 23rd minute point.
Once again Burntwood seem to put together a push and shove formation to their forwards and gain pace on the home side, but just as the feel they are making progress Rugeley’s Defence stops them this really sapping the strength from the visiting forwards.
Rugeley being well aware of the visiting teams lack of pace and fitness they take complete control of the field and with a great tackle by Joss the ball was scooped up by Wilkes and with the ensuing run and support play from Luke Pagett the ball was off loaded to Sam Cotter enabling him to score a great try under the opposition post. 22 – 0 at the half time point.
With the late summer sun still beating down on an ever tiring Burntwood, Rugeley take control of the field right from the start with and absolutely impressive steal of the ball leaving the visitors dazed and confused replacement Joe Payne was able to make an uncontested 35mtr run for the try line and put more ever increasing points on the score sheet. 27 – 0 after only 7 minutes of the restart.
Burntwood continuing to try and pull together some set pieces but the youth of the home side was proving to far too much for the visitors, for every 2mtr push forward the home side responded with a 10mtre push back.
25minutes into the second period young Jack Richards made an impressive and gazelle like run up the touch to score under the posts. With the conversion “from safe foot” Bagnall 34 – 0 after 25 minutes.
Rugeley continue to pile on the pressure, it becomes apparent the visitors are unable to hold the youngster and with Rugeley playing the pick the ball and run type game Burntwood with every minute grind more and more to a stop.
Not taking it away from Burntwood the to show glimmers of hope and good forwards play but to no avail against this promising young and fit Rugeley team.
The next 20 minutes of the second period proved to be too much for Burntwood as the home side run in three more try’s from Jamie Richer, Joe Payne & David Bagnall. All converted by David Bagnall.
The final score was 55 – 0 to Rugeley in what was a pleasurable game to watch, Burntwood played an impressive and at times an effective game but Rugeley were without doubt the superior side today.
Man of the match was David Bagnall for his absolute and effective contribution to the days proceeding.