Teen ace Nico Watkins powers Walsall
Teenage wing ace Nico Watkins scored four tries as Walsall made it back-to-back wins with a comfortable victory over Stafford.
The Delves Road outfit passed the 40-point mark for the second week running as Watkins inspired them to a 43-14 success.
He opened the scoring by putting the finishing touches to a flowing move, beating the final defender from 15 metres out before touching down in the corner.
Stafford – to their credit – hit back, taking advantage of some unforced errors to score the equalising try through Cal Jones, Christian Stelian’s subsequent conversion handing them a narrow lead.
But Walsall were simply proving too strong and went back in front eight minutes before the break when Watkins scored his second of the afternoon.
Full-back Jack Crowhurst then crossed to give the hosts a 15-7 advantage at the break.
It was a lead Watkins would further extend early in the second period when he completed his hat-trick and secured the bonus point, racing on to a kick before touching down.
Stafford kept pushing and gave themselves a little hope when Dan Smith scored their second of the day.
Yet Walsall, who remain ninth in Midlands Two West (North) scored three tries in the final 15 minutes through Watkins, Perkins and Zak Edwards to power away. Stafford stay 10th in the table, still deep in trouble.
Kidderminster remain third in Midlands Two West (South) – nine points off the top – after their 28-15 victory at Earlsdon.
