This early November game, saw the hosts score six well worked tries. But they also showed moments when there was a lack of concentration and awareness that allowed their opponents to score four tries. This resulted in the team being under unnecessary pressure during the final quarter of the match. They also suffered some disruption just before the game as their young winger Nico Watkins was injured during the warm up. Brendan Sayce moved off the replacements bench to take his place. They then had more problems during the game with more injuries forcing them to reorganise the team structure on several occasions.
Walsall started well, but failed to make the early breakthrough. Indeed, it was a spilled pass in the Saltleians half that resulted in the visitors getting the first score. They gathered the loose ball and managed to maintain possession until scrum half Groves went over near the corner flag. Walsall continued to threaten whenever they had possession. They then showed their true potential midway through the half as Lucak,James and Angell made good runs before, Roger Weston, went through for the try. It was a similar pattern of play ten minutes later. Centres Angell and Clarke made good runs then scrum half Ainger delivered a quick pass to Matt Wood who found Weston in support. The Walsall full back showed good speed and strength to score his second try. The home team were displaying some good skills and always looked capable of adding to their try tally. But they were also guilty of losing control of the possession at vital moments. It seemed as if another opportunity was wasted as the ball was again not passed accurately. But young winger Sam Garbett scooped up the ball nearly forty meters from the tryline and set off on a superb defence breaking, try scoring run. The hosts seemed to be in control of the game at this point. But, once again, they failed to secure the restart kick and found themselves under pressure. The loss of prop forward Simon Weaver caused them further disruption and Salts took advantage when prop forward Martin scored their second try after a close-range lineout. The final minute of the half saw Walsall try and move the ball to the unmarked Sayce on the left wing. But centre Lee anticipated the pass and made the interception and a fifty-meter run to score under the posts. Joel James added the conversion to level the scores at half time.
The second half started well for the visitors as they gathered the kick off and kept possession until they were awarded a penalty which James put over from twenty-five meters to give his team the lead once again. Walsall, however, continued to play with confidence and scored a good try after Dickson,Lockett and James had made good ball carries. Some swift passing saw captain Matt Wood link up with Rob Angell. The Walsall centre showed good speed to run in the try from thirty meters with Weston adding the conversion. The hosts continued to dictate play, despite the injuries to Weaver and Dickson. A powerful drive at a lineout resulted in Lucak getting the touchdown with Weston adding an excellent touchline conversion. The final five minutes saw two more tries being scored. Angell had his second after some quick possession off a scrum. Once again, the young centre showed good running skills before securing the touchdown. Weston showed that he had regained his kicking accuracy with another touchline conversion
But it was the visitors that had the final score as Lee’s kick and chase from a quickly taken penalty caught the Walsall defence out of position. The try secured his team a four try bonus point with James adding the conversion.