This was Walsall’s first ever league encounter with Leamington, and it will be one that they will soon want to forget. Last week’s super defensive display was just a distant memory as Walsall produced an error strewn performance in leafy Warwickshire. The visitors started well enough, with their forwards securing possession and establishing some promising positions. Indeed, one of their best pieces of play came when winger Tom Emes was released on a fifty meter run that took play right up to the Leamington try line. Although the hosts defended well, they were also assisted by some questionable refereeing of the ruck and tackle area, which quite often enabled them to secure possession in the tackle area.
Walsall had played well for the first fifteen minutes, and their forwards in particular, would not have been pleased to see Lemington’s fly half Secher slip past some very weak Walsall tackles to score the first try. The conversion made it 7 – 0. But the visitors responded well and should have got a try, after scrum half Bishop had made a superb break. Unfortunately, he chose to kick ahead instead of passing to his supporting players. There was then a crucial passage of play which resulted in the hosts doubling their lead. A very promising Walsall attack saw full back Tom Archer kick the ball past the only remaining defender, but a deliberate trip by the defender was ignored. The hosts collected the loose ball and proceeded to launch a counter attack from sixty meters which resulted in a try for flanker Maxwell. The home team now realised that there was very little jurisdiction in the contact area and the game began to become quite ‘heated’. The hosts extended their lead with another try from long range.The impressive Phillips finishing off a fine sweeping attack. Eventually the referee decided that the hosts were transgressing rather too often, and showed two yellow cards in quick succession. Walsall took advantage and drove over from close range. Prop Ian Bradshaw scored the try which Hawkins converted. This made it 19 – 7 at half time, and there was still a certain amount of optimism amongst the Walsall supporters. It was then 19 – 10 after only three minutes of the second half as constant pressure yield a penalty kick which Hawkins put over. But this proved to be the only highlight for the visitors, as the hosts managed to chase and collect the kick off ball and score another try. Flanker Phillips breaking through some weak tackle attempts to touchdown near the posts.
Full back Archer was forced off the field after this attack and was replaced by Neil Pittaway. The young player, who was making his first team debut, impressed immediately with some fierce tackling.
As the game moved into the final quarter Phillips got his third try. This time it was as a result of his support play. Centre Tom Williams scored the last two tries. The first as a result of an interception and the second from a counter attack that started deep in his own half.
Good league points for Leamington. Walsall will hope to reproduce their winning home form next Saturday.