Walsall had to withstand a ferocious onslaught during the final ten minutes of their latest league game. A try by No8 JB Lucak had given them a four point lead with fifteen minutes left in the game. The hosts then gained a position deep in Walsall territory for the rest of the game. They were awarded penalties, and Walsall suffered yellow cards. But the visitors, too their credit, managed to stop all that their opponents could throw at them.
Walsall had to be without their injured captain, Matt Wood, for this local derby. However, the team produced one of their best performances of the season in this tense encounter. During the first half in particular the visitors controlled the game for long periods. They retained possession for long periods and also defended well when required to do so. Line breaking runs were made by several players with Simon Weaver, JB Lucak, Rod Dickson, Jamie Hickman and Matt James being particularly effective. While in the backs, Richard Clarke, Rob Angell and Roger Weston consistently made good ground. Scrum half Dean Ainger was quick with his passing and was outstanding in defence. Walsall had a 6 – 0 advantage at the interval after full back Weston had put over two well struck penalties. Unfortunately, their inability to convert this pressure into more points was mainly due to some excellent Vesyans defending and the referee penalising the hosts as they pressed forward.
The second half saw the V’s gain an early attacking position close to the Walsall line, after declining kicks for goal. The visitors defended well, but failed to gain any great distance with their clearance kicks. Eventually, the home team put together several effective drives before Will Salter was driven over for the score. Will Cope’s conversion gave his team a one point advantage. It was Hickman,Lucak and Dickson that instigated the play that resulted in Lucak’s try. They made good runs and linked together well before the No8 squeezed over for what proved to be the vital match winning score.