Home and away !

Following a difficult week in selection this away fixture was switched to a home fixture after Burntwoods pitch was deemed unplayable at 11:30. The kick off was put back to 2:30 with some of the team already on their way to the meet and preparation was interfered with. The weather was wet and the wind blowing across and down the pitch - so not the best start to a game of rugby so how would Castle react?

The game started with Castle attacking into the club house and for the first 5 minutes the home defence was tested with Burntwood sending runner after runner into the home defence, which held firm. Burntwood then changed tack and started to kick and turn the Castle defence, this was to be the tactic for the rest of the half.

Castle were trying to run the ball back at every opportunity but all too often the move broke down through either a handling error or strong defence. In addition to the weather Castle seemed to be penalised at every other breakdown. It was from one such penalty that Burntwood took the lead.

Castles day was affected further when 10 Dom Ellerton had to leave the field with a shoulder injury, a reshuffle saw Ash Martin move to 10, Harry to centre and Tom Topplass come on to the wing. Castle were awarded a rare penalty which Bails kicked deep into Burntwoods 22, from the resulting line out several phases were put together leading to Nick Cope crashing over under the posts, Bails converted. The score came with a downside with open side Ryan Martin having to leave the field. Burntwood were quickly awarded another dubious penalty to make the half time score 7- 6.

The half time chat was to control the game using the conditions, build the phases and play a little wider, this is exactly what Castle did, but they had to wait until the last 15 minutes before scoring 2 more converted tries, either side of a further penalty scored by Burntwood.

This rugby was not as entertaining as last weeks try fest, but it showed Castle have become a side that can win games with old fashioned DOG, which as a coach is very satisfying.

Scorers
Ryan Martin 1
Nick Cope 1
Liam Baily 1

3 conversions Liam Baily

Last game of the year next week, season half done, lets train hard and end the year with another win.

PS no tries conceded in last 3 games let's make 4.