A much changed Walsall team managed to secure, what was only their third away win of the season, against a very competitive Saltleians team. The visitors were forced to make seven changes from the team that lost heavily at Whitchurch on the previous Saturday. The injuries that were sustained during that defeat meant that five replacements were required. Added to this captain Matt Wood was unable to play because of injury and flanker Matt James is now having surgery to rectify a persistent injury. This saw Walsall take the field with a completely rearranged back division. This however included a debut to a recent arrival at Delves Road in Jordan McColl. The strong running winger from Melbourne Australian was moved into the back division after just one game for the United. A familiar face was also welcomed back. Former captain Dan Simpson returned for his first game with the team since his injury in August 2015!
The visitors had the best possible start as they created a tremendous amount of pressure straight from the kick off. Salts conceded an early penalty which saw flanker Hickman take quickly thus creating panic in the home defence. They conceded a lineout ten meters from their try line. Walsall secured good possession which they drove on, hooker Pittaway broke free and linked with scrum half Ainger. He was quick to dart through and cross for a try near the corner flag. However, only five minutes had been played when Walsall were forced to make their first substitution with Andy Fitzgerald leaving the field. Daniel Simpson proved to be an ideal replacement. Ten minutes later it was Hickman that helped to create the next score as he dispossessed an opponent. Fly half Weston and full back Nico Watkins made good ground and timed their passes to perfection to put winger Andy Warrolow away on a run. He showed good strength to hold off would be tacklers for a try near the opposite corner flag. Another injury, at this stage, resulted in hooker Luke Pittaway being replaced by Paul Darby.
But the Walsall team began to grow in confidence as they ran and passed the ball well. The next score came as a result of some strong tackles in midfield by Richard Clarke and Tony Lay that resulted in a superb try by Nico Watkins, the teenage full back. Possession was won just inside the Salts half and after two quick passes Watkins was away on a superb defence piercing, forty meter, try scoring run with Weston adding the conversion. The hosts were able to put some pressure on the Walsall defence during the latter stages of the first half. The referee seemed unhappy with the visitors in the contact area and proceeded to award several penalties to the home team. But the Walsall defence, with Hickman,Luzcak,Benson,Devey and Weaver all showing strength and determination in their defensive duties, kept the opposition at bay.
The visitors were soon under pressure at the start of the second half, mainly because of their failure to deal with the kick off. The ball was spilled then poor passes were given which resulted in the home team having a several drives towards the Walsall try line. Eventually the visitors eased the pressure, but young Watkins became another casualty with Richard Towe having to come on in the full back position. Both teams struggled to put together any strong attacks for the next fifteen minutes with their inability to retain possession being the main reason for their lack of success. Watkins, after some treatment, returned to the field and was soon involved in helping to create his team’s bonus point try. Weston, Clarke and Watkins linked together well before the ball reached McColl on the left wing. He showed good strength and speed to score a try on his debut. A try which Weston converted with a superb touchline kick.
The final ten minutes saw both teams having players requiring treatment after being injured during one of the many collisions. The hosts started to run their penalties at every opportunity. This eventually resulted in Fenton going over for a try which proved to be the final score of the game.