1XV continue winning ways at Walsall

On a sunny afternoon at the always hospitable Delves Road, Camp Hill’s first experience of Walsall’s artificial grass pitch was a winning one but only just.

The visitors could not have had a better start going ahead within the first minute of the game. Mark Newton, making a welcome return to the team took the first line out in the Walsall half, the forwards drove on and when the ball was released winger Alex O’Malley went over for a try in the corner which Dan Robinson was unable to improve on.

The lively O’Malley then combined with Mark Lisle to go close before another drive from the forwards was thwarted close to the Walsall line. The home side missed a kickable penalty and had a try disallowed before Dan Robinson increased the lead with a penalty following good work from scrum half Lloyd Roberts and a forceful carry from flanker Matt Nightingale.

Camps were well on top and Walsall conceded one too many penalties before half time and were reduced to 14 men as the referee showed their number eight a yellow card. The visitors took advantage with a second try just before the break thanks to a powerful run by prop Will Wallwork which was finished off by mobile hooker Mark Alderson in the corner. Robinson kicked an excellent conversion to give Camps a fully deserved 15-0 lead at the break.

The vagaries of the bounce on the artificial surface were evident straight after the resumption when an attempted chip ahead stood up nicely for the Walsall backs to run the ball back under the posts for a score that reduced the deficit to only 8 points.

Matt Nightingale, who was having an excellent game, then combined with replacement Ryan Large to set up a penalty chance which fellow replacement Ian Briggs was unable to convert. A penalty followed at the other end which was well taken to make it 15-10.

Walsall just missed another penalty attempt before Camps produced and excellent move to score their third try. Flanker Harry Cunningham made the initial break and then full back Jordan Oliver, playing his first game of the season, ran strongly before feeding Alex O’Malley who finished expertly.

Briggs judged the conversion beautifully in the tricky breeze. Unfortunately Matt Nightingale was forced of with a tight hamstring at this point to be replaced in the back row by the versatile Barney Edwards.

Camps then lost Ian Briggs to the bin for an alleged neck roll and it was Walsall’s turn to cash in with two long break away tries from their speedy backs, both of which were converted to give the home side a 2 point lead with minutes left.

There was just time for Camps to come back with a fourth try created by another fine run by Alex O’Malley who was able to slip the ball to the restored Matt Nightingale who rounded off his productive afternoon with the winning try.

With Wolverhampton and Tamworth both winning Camps can no longer finish runners-up but next week’s final league game against Wolverhampton should be a cracker.

It is also Chairman’s Day so there should be a big crowd.