A try by flanker Nick Field, with just two minutes left, secured Walsall a rather surprising victory over a strong Dudley Kingswinford side.
The hosts made an impressive start and were exerting a great deal of pressure on the DK scrum. Some good support play resulted in a series of scrums close to the visitor’s line. Walsall produced several good scrums which eventually led to the referee awarding a penalty try. But DK were level within two minutes. They moved the ball to the blind side from a scrum and some hesitant Walsall defence let in winger James Jefferson. Hawkins, who had already added the conversion, restored Walsall’s lead with a penalty from twenty five meters. But it was the visitors who had the lead at half time, after another successful blind side attack. Centre Stefan Shillingford getting the touchdown.

Walsall were forced to defend for long periods during the second half. But Dudley K, despite their superiority, failed to convert their pressure into points and it was the hosts that gained the next score. They worked their way into their opponents twenty two, and produced several good attacks, before a long pass found lock forward Mark Reeves, who crashed over near the corner flag. But Dudley continued to play their free flowing style of rugby, and with just ten minutes left they regained the lead after Jefferson was put clear to score out wide.

It seemed that DK would take the spoils, but with two minutes left winger Tom Emes made a terrific touchline break to take play deep into the opponents half. Walsall won the ball at the resulting breakdown and it was passed quickly along the three quarters, suddenly flanker Field took the pass and burst through from fifteen meters to score the decisive try. Hawkins’ conversion securing a very pleasing 22 – 17 victory.