Tamworth Come Out On Top In Twelve Try Thriller

Tamworth were at home for a second week in a row where they welcomed Walsall who have traditionally been tough opponents but the hosts were hoping for a similar outcome to their meeting earlier in the season where they managed to take the points from an incredibly tight game at Delves Road.
The opening exchanges belonged to the visitors as Tamworth struggled to get their hands on the ball and when they did they coughed it up cheaply.
This pressure saw Walsall open the scoring on ten minutes when the ball was worked wide and the winger dotted down in the corner. 0-5
This sparked Tamworth into life and they soon narrowed the deficit with a penalty from Jack Dalton taking over kicking duties from the injured Danny Norton.
From this point until the half time break Tamworth played some of their best rugby of the season starting with a try from skipper Josh Roe as he burrowed over from close range. 8-5
This was followed within two minutes with a lovely try as three back five forwards combined showing deft handling and offloading skills allowing Macauley Green to go over under the sticks. Dalton added the extra’s and Tamworth led 15-5
Tamworth were on fire at this point and extended their lead further Roe getting his second of the day breaking the defensive line and winning the foot race to the try line Dalton was again successful from the tee and the lead was 22-5
Before the sizable crowd could catch their breath Tamworth were in again this time Conor Banham broke the line but as he was hunted down by the Walsall defence another magnificent offload put Green through for his second just before the break. The two points were added and the lead was now 29-5.
As half time closed in there was still time for one more fantastic Tamworth score this time Leighton Norton who was covering at Fly Half put a majestic kick through for Dalton to run on to and his lightening pace did the rest. He converted his own try bringing to an end an extraordinary half of rugby with Tamworth leading 36-5.
The break gave time for Walsall to regroup and it was their turn to go on the scoring rampage scoring three try’s in twenty minutes converting two of them bringing the score back to 36-24 as Tamworth were again struggling to contain them in this see saw encounter.
Injury saw the introduction of Christos Christophorou into the front row from the bench for his first team debut as Tamworth looked to put the brakes on Walsall.
The nerves were settled a little when Norton and Dalton again combined when another nice kick looked to have been dealt with by the retreating Walsall player who was being chased down by the ever eager Dalton but somehow the ball was spilled and ended up loose and Dalton dotted down proving you should never give up on what may seem a lost cause. He slotted the extras and Tamworth led 43-24.
Walsall refused to give up either and closed the gap again with an intercepted try 43-31
It would be Tamworth though who would have the last say in this fantastic encounter when Jason Norton got the final touch at the back of a driving maul that trundled its way to the line to make the final score 48-31 in Tamworth’s favour but although having to be content with one bonus point Walsall should be applauded for their contribution to this twelve try thriller.
Final Score
Tamworth 48
Walsall 31