Ks’ effort cannot hide their lack of execution

On a near-perfect day for rugby, Kenilworth once again could not be faulted for effort but fell well short of their better-organised and more experienced opponents, writes Bob Jones.

Denied the ball for much of this Midlands One West encounter, they were forced to live off scraps and had little chance to execute their gameplan.

Walsall opened strongly and threatened to gain an early stranglehold.

However, a steal by Bobby Thompson put paid to a dangerous move and a punt ahead by Alex Selby, with Andy Whitehall in hot pursuit, promised better things.

Alas, it was not to be. With fly-half Wood, lock Tierney and number eight Fitzgerald controlling much of their play, it was no surprise when, in the 13th minute, following a series of drives by their pack and a five-metre scrum, Tierney was on hand to touch down. Wood added the extras.

Four minutes later, Fitzgerald capped a slick move with a try in the right corner, once again improved by Wood.

Ks managed a brief response and gained a penalty, which Simon Tyler sliced wide of an upright.

The visitors soon regrouped and it took a good tackle from Nyle Beckett to halt a threatening attack.

It was then the turn of Whitehall to clear danger after winger Turner had torn a hole in the home defence.

The pressure from the West Midlands outfit was relentless and prior to the half-time whistle, they posted two more converted tries, the first by flanker Hickman, the second by Wood.

A determined run by Dominic Sheehan opened the second period but Walsall were soon into their stride, with both forwards and backs interpassing with pace and poise.

Their pack was especially effective and following three bullocking drives close to the Kenilworth line, prop Fitzgerald crashed over for an unconverted try.

A Tyler tackle then saved a certain try as Wood weaved his way through the defence.

Matters got a little heated up front and resulted in Rhys Llewellyn and Walsall hooker Scott being lectured by referee Marcus Greenway.

Scott then burrowed over for another unconverted try before resuming hostilities with Llewellyn, which earned them both a sin-binning.

Just about the one piece of slack play by the visitors enabled Chris Wood to intercept and race clear for a consolation try that Tyler converted in the 72nd minute.

Heartened by this, Ks enjoyed their best spell, with Catalin Graur and Ross Lowthian prominent.

Nonetheless, it was Walsall who had the last word when yet another good move was finished by scrum-half Pittaway, Wood converting.