Spartans 55-8 Burntwood -Spartans Twos Simply Devine

Once again Skipper Ben Dockery was spoilt for choice as he selected his squad for this weeks match, a rearranged friendly with Burntwood after Old Wheatleyans had cried off the league fixture. Devine, Dale Jones and John Lewis started in the front row with Harry Owen and Tim Barthram in the engine room. Luke Rostron returned to partner Spencer Kite on the flanks with Chris Bench a menacing figure at number 8.

A slightly less familiar looking back line saw Luke Spears move to scrum half with Joe Madden at Fly Half, Dochery and Vaughan lined up in the centre with a back three of Daryl Williams, Jamie Humpage and Cam Holland.

A strong bench included Sam Burke, Justin Remy, Jack Hughes and Brett Garbett.

Burntwood kicked off what was to be a frantic first ten minutes, both teams were eager to lay their mark on the game as the big hits went flying in. Bench, Kite, Devine and Lewis all got their hands on the ball for some early carries as the half backs marshalled their troops round the park. Spartans managed to maintain so good field position, driving on into the Burntwood 22 but several times the pass was forced and errors were being made allowing the home side to clear their lines.

Finally the pressure told as Spartans were awarded a scrum wide right. A pre-set call saw Bench pick from number 8 and crash over for the opening score of the game. Madden’s wide conversion was good and Spartans had an early 7-0 lead.

The resulting restart fell short of the 10 giving Spartans a great attacking platform on the centre spot of the pitch. Once again Bench picked and went, this time linking up with Spears who carried well into the Burntwood half. Fly half Madden found winger Humpage on a sublime line as he charged into the home side 22 before finding Devine in support who stepped and slid over for the second converted try. 14-0.

It wasn’t long before the men in black made it three, this is no reflection of the game being easy though by any means. Burntwoods line out was functioning well and they were using their big forwards to good effect, particularly in defence. Spartans were having to work hard for every inch they made until Cam Holland unpicked the defence. Playing with advantage Madden spun the ball wide to Dockery who in turn found Vaughan on a great line, he drew the last defender and hit Holland who had the pace to burn down the touch line for a great score, again converted. 21-0.

Maybe it was an edge of complacency slipping in for Spartans or simply pride for the home side but the scoring momentum was soon slowed down as Burntwood came back. Indiscipline and errors allowed the Burntwood kicker to march his side down the park until they were bearing down on the try line. Some dogged defence and big hits led by Jones, Barthram and Vaughan were all that kept the home side at bay until they eventually relinquished and took three points from a nicely struck penalty. 21-3.

Some words of encouragement under the posts seemed to get Spartans going again as Devine leapt like a Salmon to reclaim the restart. A thundering charge up the pitch was only brought to a halt by an illegal tackle and Madden subsequently drove the penalty into the corner. The line out was perfectly executed thanks to Jones’ pinpoint throw and the maul set the platform for Bench to smash his way over for a second try. 26-3.

Spartans had the bit between their teeth now and although the physicality was still brutal they were edging both the set piece and the broken play. Bench was having a field day at number 8 behind a superb tight five and as a result Spears was given the platform to distribute the ball at will. A gap in the home side defence though allowed him to dart through and score his 16th try of the season on the stroke of half time. 31-3.

The second half started difficultly for Spartans as Burntwood came flying out of the blocks. Errors and indiscipline again saw the visitors on the back foot and the home side took full advantage of this scoring a well-executed try to bring the score back to 31-8.

This is a well drilled second team though and they did not panic, with leaders all over the park the game plan was all about the basics – dirty, dirty, clean. It did the job as a miss pass from Madden found Hughes, he pivoted and released Devine who, with the speed and grace of a thousand gazelles, slid through the defence and threw the most outrageous of dummies before hitting Spears for a stunning try in the corner. 36-8.

The bench had now been emptied and all of the reserves, Justin Remy in particular were making a huge impact. His huge hand off was leaving a trail of would-be defenders in his wake creating space all over the park for his supporting players.

Burntwood were still attacking hard and defending valiantly but the momentum was well and truly with the visitors as the clock ran on. Devine again found himself out on the left wing and in space following some nice handling in the backs, this time the foot work was enough to see him dive over himself for another stunner of a try. Madden’s touchline conversion was just wide but the score extended to 41-8.

On 70 minutes another penalty was driven into the corner and it was the old trusty driving maul delivering the platform on this occasion, openside Luke Rostron tagged on the back until the space came for him to sprint through and score, this time converted by Madden. 48-8.

The final score of the match was a fitting one and another individual effort from Spears who rounded off his hat-trick with a show and go before stepping the full back to slide in under the crossbar. A great way to round off a difficult but impressive afternoon for Spartans with a 55-8 win.

Credit to Burntwood who made the game a lot more difficult than perhaps the score line might suggest, a gutsy effort from the home side. Ultimately though it was a solid win for Spartans, one that will kick start the winning momentum again as the travel to league leaders Newbold on Saturday for what could be a vitally important game in the Second XV league campaign.

Final Score

Spartans 55-8 Burntwood

Tries;
Spears x 3
Bench x 2
Devine x 2
Holland
Rostron

Conversions
Madden x 5

Dick of the day went to Jack Hughes for forgetting the dick of the day T-Shirt and the coveted POG (Player of the Game) was awarded to Ryan Devine for a superb performance in the front row, capped off by a brace of tries.