Penalties Clinch It for Lich

Despite scoring four tries to their opponents three, Walsall had to be content with two bonus points after this narrow defeat by their Staffordshire rivals. The Delves Road team showed a significant improvement from their error riddled performance of last week. They, to a certain extent, will not be too displeased with the eventual result, because they were forced to make several changes due to injuries and unavailability. Captain Steve Halbert was moved into the centre position and he was joined there by Gavin Jones. He was quickly drafted in to make his first appearance for six years, shortly before the kick-off. An injury during the warm up to centre Roger Weston forced Walsall to further re-organise their team. There was also a first team debut for 19 year old student Edward Mott.
The visitors took the lead after fifteen minutes when winger Jack Sporcic used his speed to score wide out. Luke Massey added the extra points with an excellent conversion. But the hosts hit back quickly with two tries in ten minutes. They were both scored in similar fashion, with the forwards maintaining some good powerful drives which eventually saw flanker Rob Tierney and No 8 Rod Dickson crossing for tries. Matt Wood put over two good conversions to make it 14 – 7.
But Massey narrowed the gap with two fairly easy penalties just before half time. Both penalties were given as a result of an infringement in the tackle area. The referee’s interpretation would be a cause for some confusion and controversy throughout the match.
Although Wood put over an early penalty, the second half started badly for Walsall, as they conceded two tries in the opening ten minutes. No 8 Joe Thompson scored from a close range scrum, and full back Gareth Brear broke through from thirty meters. A Massey conversion gave his team a 25 – 17 lead. But, once again, the hosts hit back with two very well taken tries scored by Gavin Jones and winger Neil Pittaway. The game entered the final ten minutes with Walsall pressing for further scores to extend their lead. The visitors managed to clear their lines, and were awarded another controversial penalty which Massey put over from in front of the posts. It seemed that even then the hosts could still win the game, as they gained an excellent attacking position close to the Lichfield line. But, despite, several stoppages the referee decided that the extra two minutes was all that he would add on. The final whistle was greeted with delight and despair by the appropriate sections of the supporters!