It seems word of the boys' fine form had got around as this morning's game against Broadstreet was watched by the biggest crowd of family and friends we've seen this season.

This was the first time our boys have faced Broadstreet but they soon discovered that the visitors were not to be taken lightly; they were strong at the breakdown and had very powerful runners in the back row and midfield. However, some fine structured passing from backs and forwards alike got the ball wide and, although it looked at one point it like the chance had gone begging, Alex Butler dived over in the corner for an early score.

Broadstreet then set up camp on the Walsall 5m line with a series of scrums that resulted from the most determined defending we've witnessed in a long time. Our boys kept out wave after wave of attacks only to be outdone when Broadstreet eventually managed to get the ball wide to score in the corner.

From the restart, Walsall regained possession and a fine line break from Ben Pitt put Alex Garton through only for him to be stopped short of the line but fine support play from Harry Bucknall saw him rewarded with his first try of the day. He didn't have to wait long for his second though. A series of powerful drives from our forwards put Walsall into the opposition's 22 and, with Broadstreet's defence pulled in, Ben Pitt displayed a touch that belied his years and put in a superb kick under the wind that sat up beautifully for Harry to pick up and score in the corner to take a two-score lead into half-time.

An early score from the visitors didn't dent Walsall's determination to hold on. Joe Pearce picked up from the back of a scrum just over halfway, set off down the blind side and fed Harry who, with 15m to go, beat two defenders to complete his hat-trick. Broadstreet came back yet again with a score from short range but the 2-try gap was soon restored when Ben Pitt again broke away to feed Alex Garton who wasn't to be outdone this time and scored under the posts.

The closing minutes saw Walsall's defence tested again but excellent line speed and tackling drove Broadstreet back to halfway where the referee's whistle signalled the end of an enthralling game.

Final score: Walsall U13s 31 - 17 Broadstreet U13s