...but two quick tries from the visitors put them in a commanding position. However, the Walsall boys showed enormous character to fight their way back into the game by going back to basics: Sam Wellings, Will Fulford and James Marris ran straight and hard; Jamie Mallaband, Daniel Gilbert and James Rogers cut down opposing runners and the paring of Ben Stackhouse and Ben Pitt at half-back committed defenders before getting the ball wide.

A typically belligerent run from Cory Clarke-Selby saw him carry several defenders with him over the line for the first home score of the day and then - in what is quickly becoming a trademark - second-row Joe Pearce side-stepped his way through the Moseley defence to tie things up.

With Moseley exploiting their dominance in the early scrums, it seemed almost inevitable they would retake the lead and this proved to be the case with two more unanswered tries. This galvanised Walsall’s defensive efforts with the likes of Jake Mooney, Alex Butler and Harry Bucknall all contributing hugely to the cause. Ted Parsons’ determined running soon paid off and he was rewarded with a fine score and then a change in the second-row saw the introduction of Matt Howell who soon extended the Walsall lead with a great individual try. This gave Matt a taste for scoring and, after an excellent run from Todd Langston, another powerful drive saw him tackled short of the line but he cleverly reached out above his head to dot the ball down on the line.

Walsall put the game to bed with three minutes to go. Zak Somani stole a Moseley line-out ball, Ben Yau made valuable metres and stand-in hooker Alex Garton set off on a run through a broken defensive line and not even a neck-high attempt to stop him could deny him his try.

Teamwork, spirit and attitude took Walsall to a fine and well-deserved 30-20 win.

Match-day squad: Joe Pearce (Capt), James Rogers, Cory Clarke-Selby Jamie Mallaband, Daniel Gilbert, Ben Yau, Matthew Howell, Zak Somani ; (Backs) Ben Pitt, Ben Stackhouse, Alex Garton, Jake Mooney, James Marris, Alex Butler, Sam Wellings, Harry Bucknall, Ted Parsons, Todd Langston, Will Fulford.

Walsall RFC

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Team Sponsors

Login