Gritty Tamworth Hold Out At Walsall

Tamworth made the short trip to face a Walsall side who narrowly missed out on promotion last season but whom had had mixed results so far this term.
Not traditionally a happy hunting ground for the visitors the artificial surface not favoured amongst their ranks it was impossible to predict the outcome of this fixture.
The day marked a milestone in the Tamworth career of front rower Tom Scott as he ran out for his 100th cap.
Tamworth were also welcoming and giving a debut to Scrum Half Xavier Hill signed after arriving from New Zealand to hopefully give some stability in a specialist position that although admirably covered by other players playing out of position had been a problem for Tamworth since Sid Wood’s long term injury at the end of last season.
Although Tamworth started strongly they were caught on the break after just three minutes falling behind to a smart try catching the normally excellent Tamworth defence a little disorganised. The extras were missed but the hosts had an early lead. 5-0
Tamworth then suffered the loss of loose head prop Jason Norton to an ankle injury after twelve minutes being replaced by youngster Carter Jones in the front row.
The visitors narrowed the gap with a Danny Norton penalty before going ahead Macauley Green applying the final touch after Tamworth had created a mismatch in numbers on the outside. 5-8
Walsall levelled with a penalty and were putting significant pressure on Tamworth’s defensive line who by now had sorted out their early wobble and were proving difficult for the host’s to break through. In fact it would be the home defence that would be breached in muscular fashion by a Tamworth pack driving over with a maul that was impossible for Walsall to stop. Skipper Josh Roe getting the final touch at the back. Norton kicked the extra two and Tamworth went into the half time break leading by seven points.
Things got even better for Tamworth towards the end of the third quarter with Hill marshalling the Tamworth attack looking like he’d held the 9 shirt for months rather than the two training sessions that he had been in the country Kit Smith bursting through the Walsall defence to score under the posts. Norton’s boot was true and Tamworth led 8-22.
Although looking comfortable at this stage Tamworth knew that Walsall were not going to give up. And so it proved as they narrowed the deficit finding some room around the outside to score a nice try the conversion was kicked and it was once again game on. 15-22
Norton then kicked what would prove to be a very important penalty taking Tamworth two scores clear as Walsall were throwing everything at Tamworth in the final stages of what had been an enthralling, entertaining and often bruising encounter they would get the final score of the day crashing over from close range but Tamworth had done enough to hold on for another hard earned victory on the road to give them confidence going into next week’s home tie against Wolverhampton.
Final Score
Walsall 22
Tamworth 25