Walsall foiled by last gasp try

A last minute try cost Walsall an impressive Midland Two West win at league leaders Malvern.

The Delves Road men led by a point going into the final few minutes of the game and had spurned plenty of chances to cement their lead - but poor finishing and even poorer execution came back to bite them and they lost 22-16.

Coach Gez Tillott said: "I asked the forwards to try and get us parity up front - but they did more than that, they were excellent.

"That is encouraging because Malvern had a big pack and we handled them well.

"But we needed to do more with ball we got and, playing with the wind in the second half we got stuck around our ten metre line when we should have been playing a wider game.

"It did not help that we lost our captain, Pierre Barneix, with a shoulder injury in the first quarter.

"Seeing as we were four one down on the try count, we were a little lucky to have been ahead in the latter stages - but we created a lot of chances."

This is the second successive away defeat for Walsall and in both matches a score in injury time has cost them and they will be looking to get thing back on track at home against second-placed Solihull.

Tillott said: "That will be another tough game against a side in form.

"They also have a big pack - but we are confident of getting things back on track at home.

"I was pleased with out forwards' effort."

Walsall held a 13-10 half-time lead after Matt Wood, again outstanding with the boot, had kicked two penalties and converted a try by Rod Dickson dived over from a five-metre scrum.

But numerous try scoring opportunities were squandered, usually through poor-decision making. Tillott said: "Matt kicked superbly well and both our props were outstanding so there are positives to take from the game.

"I can see why Malvern are top of the league, they were a good side - but we can take a lot from it."

Wood's second penalty was their only score after the intervalm which was to prove decisive.

Hooker Jimmy Scott's indiscipline saw him sit out the closing stages, during which time Malvern scored two tries.

Dan Thompson returns to the side for Solihull and, in the absence of Barneix, who may be side lined for two months, he is a welcome addition.

Tillott said: "He adds a lot to what we are trying to do. He gives us penetration."

Greg Massey scored a hat-trick of tries for Lichfield as they overpowered an in-form Whitchurch side 34-12 at Cooke Fields.

Lich knew they needed a much improved performance from their Walsall drubbing and that was just got what coach Nick Sporcic got.

They were dominant at the set-piece and took territory when it was offered rather than running the ball from too far out.

No 8 Jim Jenner and winger Danny Albutt were the other try scorers.