The long journey was quickly a memory as Walsall struck with just over 5 minutes on the clock, Joe Brown going over for the first of his four tries, Ben Tipson converting. Ledbury were a better side than the score suggests and evidenced that with a score from the restart. This stung Walsall into action. The wide pitch suited the Walsall game and pace out wide saw Charlie Wrighton extend the Walsall lead. Steve Paddock soon added a third before Joe Brown bagged his brace with another scorching run out flanking the Ledbury defence. Ben Tipson completed an excellent first half kicking performance by adding both conversions. Steve Paddock rounded of the half with another smartly taken try, the result of excellent support work and quick hands from the Walsall team.

The second half was almost a carbon copy of the first. Joe Brown once again showed his pace to be a genuine threat as he scored twice in four minutes to snub out a bright start by Ledbury that had stretched the Walsall defence on several occasion. Ben Tipson’s boot continued to be reliable as he slotted both conversions. All credit to Ledbury for working Walsall hard as they used their large runners to make inroads into the Bear’s defence. Only some last ditch tackling kept the score unchanged. Steve Paddock grabbed his third, easing the pressure and the Captain, Max Hughes, scored a well deserved try; Ben Tipson adding the final two points to finish the game at 59-7.

All credit to the Walsall pack who fronted up to a much larger eight and achieved dominance in the scrum and, as usual, gave clean ball from their own line out and were a constant threat on opposition ball. Also credit to several players playing out of position and for surviving unscathed as we only had the bare 15 bodies. A fly half at 6 and two flankers in the centre! Debuting today in his first full match was Joe Blacker who gave an assured performance on the wing and welcome back to James Harris after a long injury lay off, slotting in neatly at scrum half for the first time. Key mention for the U17 contingent who do not look out of place and bust a gut to get from their match in the morning to Ledbury. Many thanks! Finally, well done to Ledbury who never gave up and asked question up front with some powerful ball carrying. BTW I’d make that pitch 5m narrower if I was them. Lovely for if you have pace on the wing but a nightmare if the opposition have it too!