Walsall and Willenhall get 2019 off to a flier

Despite losing influential lock forward Mike Lockett to injury in training, Walsall ran out 41-8 winners to put distance between them and the Midlands 2 West (North) bottom three.

Halil Gozukucuk scored their first try from a scrum, before a well-placed Will Hennessey kick allowed flanker Matt James to touch down a second.

Walsall’s final score of an effective first half came when Jack Crowhurst went over the line near the corner flag.

Captain Roger Weston put over an excellent touchline conversion to give the hosts a 22-3 half-time lead.

Leek started the second half brightly, but a clearing kick set up a chance for young winger Zak Edwards, who sped over from 15 metres out for his first ever Walsall try.

Crowhurst was then forced off with a leg injury before Tom Thorley added another try. Sam Hunt scored Leek’s only try of the game soon after, but there was still time for Brandon Sayce to wrap up a memorable day for Walsall with a try in the corner.

That was a timely victory, because Walsall’s next match is a tricky one away at league leaders Ludlow.

In Midlands 3 West (North), Wednesbury were unable to get off to such a winning start to the year, losing 13-26 at home to Harborne.

Plagued with injuries, nine second XV players stepped up to the first team, and three of those were in their mid-50s.

Wednesbury started well, with Matt Dale scoring all 10 points to give them a 10-7 half-time lead. But after the break, Harborne scored two quick-fire tries on the counter-attack to take control of the game.

Wednesbury coach Gary Summers said: “Obviously a disappointing start to 2019 but a realistic result based on the fact that the club could only offer 23 players from supposedly 65 players registered

“Hats off to the 18 that took the field but ill-discipline flattered the visitors who ran out deserved winners.

“An early try with some great offloading offered us hope and a try being called held up on two attempts at the end of the first half proved costly.

“A poor start to the second half was the sign that the result wasn’t going to go our way. Hopefully numbers will be better this week.”

In Midlands 4 West (North), Willenhall are in no mood to relinquish top spot, and ran out 60-21 victors over Barton-under-Needwood after scoring 10 tries – including six in a rampant first half.

Lee Walton scored a hat-trick, Sam Hickman and Ian Sidebottom grabbed two apiece, and there were also scores for Kieran Parker, Adam Clewley, and George Pearson.

Coach Gavin Jones said: “There was just a couple of lapses in concentration which cost us three tries, but on the whole the entire team played incredibly well.

“Our forward pack were immense in the scrums and line out and our inside backs offered strong running midfield. Our outside backs were then able to show some real pace out wide”.”

Willenhall travel to near neighbours Bloxwich on Saturday for an intriguing derby game.