Walsall 36 vs Whitchurch 15
Ignore the score which gives a false impression of this game. Whitchurch played full of heart and determination but lost in the last ten minutes when reduced to thirteen players in a way that infuriated the visiting supporters and bemused the home crowd.
The game started fairly evenly with just a penalty to Walsall after ten minutes. The reds struck right back and went ahead from a catch and drive that was touched down by Nathan Horton. There followed a period of Whitchurch pressure but they came undone when the home scrum half picked up behind a ruck on the 22 metre mark and spotted a gap to run through and score under the posts. The Shropshire men were shell shocked and went further behind minutes later when they appeared to stop as play went close to an injured home player and the referee inexplicably allowed play to continue. Walsall took advantage and scored far out to lead 15 – 5. Half time.
The second half started with the home side pressing and some poor tackling allowed them back in to score a converted try and pull seventeen points ahead. Whitchurch pulled themselves up and fought back with some tremendously fierce tackling and the pack gained full control. A catch and drive saw Mike Oakden go over to close the gap and this was followed by a series of the same that were stopped illegally three times as they went over the line. They were waiting for a yellow card after the third infringement and a possible penalty try but the man in the middle didn’t want to know. The fourth attempt was not to be stopped as a grieved Shropshire eight shoved the much heavier pack backwards and Callum Southall touched down. With the score now 22 – 15 and the red men in full cry, it looked ominous for the title chasing Midlanders but the man with the whistle again stepped in. Tom Skone stepped up to an attack close to the visitors line and the ball hit him. Although it was an accident and he wasn’t offside, he was shown a yellow card. Minutes later, a catch and drive by the home side was pulled down and a penalty given. Despite ignoring a string of similar decisions against Walsall the referee chose to give a yellow card to Nathan Horton even though it was a first offence. The last ten minutes were a backs to the wall for Whitchurch but they could not hold out against the numbers and two more tries were scored by a fleet footed winger to give an unreal scoreline.
