Walsall were within two minutes of reaching the Midlands Two Regional playoff final last Saturday. They had secured a one-point lead with two minutes left to play. But from the resulting restart, their Derbyshire opponents were awarded a penalty and from the resulting lineout they made a strong try scoring drive which was followed by the final whistle.

The hosts opened the scoring after seven minutes after prop forwards George Green and Callum Martin had made strong ball carries before a couple of quick passes resulted in outside half Ben Pitt going through for the try from fifteen yards with Adam Nunney adding the conversion. Eventually the visitors levelled the scores with a try after a strong lineout drive. Late in the half Melbourne took the lead after a prolonged period of pressure. The Walsall players had displayed some excellent defensive tackles but eventually their opponents broke through for the try. They then added another score in the final minute of the first half. Winger Anderson made a defence breaking thirty yards try scoring run. The conversion secured the visitors a twelve point lead at the interval.

Early in the second half Walsall’s young winger Hansen Christoffersen made a terrific defence breaking run which resulted in a penalty which Nunney converted from forty yards. The game moved into the final quarter with the hosts having to display some more determined defending. But eventually flank forward Benstead went over for the try which Worley converted. Walsall soon replied with Matt James making a good ball carry which resulted in No8 Hal Gozukucuk breaking through for the try. Captain Adam Nunney converted the try and then added a well struck forty yards penalty after more determined defending by his teammates. This set up an intense and exciting final four minutes. Walsall’s lock forward Lucas Cotterell made another strong ball carry, winger Luke Chambers continued the attack before the ball was passed quickly to Quade Boal, the Walsall centre finished off well from fifteen yards. Another well struck conversion kick by Nunney gave his team a one-point lead. But the possible Walsall playoff celebrations were not to be as the Melbourne team secured an injury time victory.