First Home Defeat For Walsall

Walsall suffered their first league defeat of the season at Delves Road last Saturday. A very much inform Stratford scored six tries to gain, what was eventually, a fairly convincing victory. The scoreline, however, does not really reflect on the contribution that the home team had made in this entertaining game.
The hosts had a very hesitant start, with kicks not being caught and tackles being missed. This allowed the visitors to gain a position in the Walsall half and they were soon six points up after fly half Jake White had put over two penalties. They went further ahead when winger Franklin had an easy run in for the opening try. Eventually the home team began to put some structure into their play, and should have really put some points on the board as both Turner and Dickson crossed the tryline, but both failed to ground the ball. Walsall did gain some reward as another powerful drive saw Stratford infringe and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try. Hawkins put over the conversion to make it 7 - 11 at the break.
Walsall were forced to make changes at the start of the second half, with Andy Hawkins and Richard Towe being forced off by injury. Tom Archer and Chris Mould, making his first appearance of the season, were the replacements. The hosts started the second half in a positive mood and pressed hard for an early score, and a super Turner break should have resulted in some points. But the opportunity was wasted. These missed chances were going to prove very costly, as Stratford scored as soon as they got into opposition territory. This time it was scrum half Pritchard who broke through tackles to touchdown near the posts. White put over the conversion, and a penalty five minutes later to give his team a 21 - 7 lead. But captain Halbert brought his team back into the game with a storming forty meter run. He was stopped just short of the line,but the visitors were forced to concede a penalty which was quickly taken, and some slick passing saw Tom Emes cut through for a fine try. Walsall were playing some good rugby, but as they were pushing forward again, the referee decided that an infringement by second row Alex Woodward merited a yellow card. This resulted in the visitors regaining the impetus, and they took full advantage with three tries in the final ten minutes. White collected his own kick and fed prop forward Hitchins for the first. No 8 Richardson then scored two tries in two minutes as Walsall tried to run the ball at every opportunity. White’s conversions ensured that his team reached forty points and maintain Stratford’s challenge at the top of the league.