This re-arranged fixture against the unbeaten league leaders proved to be a real disaster for the Delves Road outfit. The heavy defeat was an embarrassment in itself. But of greater concern were all the injuries that were sustained during the game. Injuries that will put severe pressure on the playing strength of the team for the rest of the season. Even before the game, the selected team was changed because of news of their first injury. Scrum half Dean Ainger had to withdraw prior to the kick off. It was then a constant stream of players being forced to leave the field with fairly serious injuries. Winger Jack Crowhurst was the first to be sidelined after just fifteen minutes. Regular centre Rob Angell joined him ten minutes later. He was soon followed by scrum half Mitch Carless. This resulted in full back Roger Weston taking on the scrum half role. It was then fifteen minutes into the second half before winger Sam Garbett’s leg injury saw him join the other three casualties in the treatment room. This meant that Walsall would have to play the final twenty five minutes with just fourteen players. This included coach Jon Ford, who was still recovering from injury, being forced to go on to play and back row forward Hal Gozukucuk moving on to the wing.
The visitors had made a good start to the game and applied early pressure which saw full back Roger Weston hit the post with a thirty five meter penalty kick and then just miss with another effort. Further attacks saw No8 JB Luczak go over for, what seemed, a perfectly good try. But the referee did not share that view!
When given the opportunity, the hosts soon showed why they are having such a successful season. They showed great confidence in playing at pace with strong support at the breakdown and in open play. The home team eventually got their scoring spree underway as they took advantage of a Walsall handling error after fifteen minutes. They soon added a second as they turned over possession and moved the ball quickly. It was then a matter of taking advantage of Walsall’s misfortunes after that as they ran in a further eight tries. The kick and chase tactic being used very effectively on several occasions to expose the visitors cover defence. But, credit must be given to the visiting players who remained positive throughout and remained fully committed despite the numerous changes that was enforced upon them.
It has already been a difficult season for the Delves Road team with early season injuries depriving them of three regular players. It will now be a testing couple of months for the players and management as the strength of the squad will be severely tested, as they try to replace the injured players. Added to this, Walsall will also have Matthew James unavailable from now on. Matt has been one of Walsall’s most influential players this season. But he now has to have surgery for a persistent injury and will not play again until next autumn.