Errors and Lack of Discipline Cost Walsall

This was a game that Walsall should have won, and gain revenge for a last minute defeat at Sutton earlier in the season. They dominated the first half and should have scored more than the two tries that came from No8 Adam Parr and prop forward Ian Bradshaw. The hosts created several openings, but they failed to deliver or take the final scoring pass. Their players were also guilty of conceding a couple of very silly penalties which gifted six points to the visitors. Thus a 12 – 6 half time score was a far from a true reflection of the game.
During this first period, it was evident that the two teams had contrasting strength. The Walsall scrum had already steamrolled their opponents back on every occasion, while the Sutton lineout was gathering virtually every ‘aerial’ ball. This was going to be crucial during the second half, because the visitors relied on their lineout ball to stage several drives towards the Walsall line. The hosts struggled to contain these drives, and eventually Sutton, through hooker Michael Worthington, scored two tries. Outside half Alan Rowlands had kicked two penalties in the first half, and then put over a drop goal to give the visitors the lead with just over ten minutes left. Walsall should have regained the lead within a few minutes, but the normally reliable Andy Turner, spilled the ball after crossing the tryline. Soon afterwards, the visitors drove over for their second try, and it seemed all over. But a quick tap penalty by scrum half Bishop saw him link up with Chris Mould. The full back made good ground before chipping ahead and winning the race for the touchdown. Unfortunately, Matt Wood’s conversion from wide out was just wide, thus depriving the Delves Road team of a deserved draw.