Huntley's try blitz eases cup despair

Midlands Three West North

Tamworth RFC First XV 39

Steve Lapham goes on the attack for Tamworth RFC. (PJ0038-05445SP) Pictures by PAUL JOHNSON
Jimmy Langtree is thwarted as he heads for the line. (PJ0038-05500SP)
Tamworth RFC's Martin Dearne receives the ball as Danny Norton is tackled. (PJ0038-05490SP)

Moseley Oak 7

DANNY Huntley was the hero as Tamworth maintained their promotion push with a convincing win over Moseley Oak.

Huntley scored five tries for the Wigginton Park men while Ubi Saayman and Ben Shorthouse also crossed the line for scores.

Danny Norton added three conversions.

The victory helped put to bed the disappointment of last Wednesday's Staffs Intermediate Cup.

Tamworth's defence of the trophy they won last year was ended as they lost 30-12 at The Sportsway, skipper Paul Willars sent off during the first half.

Gaz Jones and a penalty try made for Tamworth's points on the night.

It has left to Tamworth to focus solely on promotion from Midlands Three West North.

Reflecting on Wednesday's defeat, coach Andy Smith said: "We didn't turn up. Burntwood came at us like a bullet early on in the game and we just didn't perform well at all, while they played to their best.

"It was our biggest defeat for two years. For us to concede four tries is unheard of.

"Burntwood punished us for not performing and it's disappointing because we wanted to defend the cup.

"I'm not one of these people who uses the saying 'we can now concentrate on the league'.

"I believe that success breeds success and had we won on Wednesday, the singing and celebrations in the dressing room after the Burntwood game would have been a far more powerful boost for our promotion battle, than having lost.

"That said, we bounced back well on Saturday and showed our character so I am happier now."

Tamworth: Fitter, Gilbert, Burrows, Wayne, Bradshaw, Hughes, Dearne, Saayman, Lapham, Borthwick, Huntley, Shorthouse, Langtree, Sandford, Norton, Sandhu, Jones, Smith.