Putting aside the brisk wind, the spring like weather provided perfect conditions for a morning’s rugby.

The Falcons entered the fray feeling fresh and raring to go. The Walsall lads were at a slight disadvantage, the same bunch of lads having just been beaten by the Eagles!

The game proved to be a bit of disjointed affair with neither side really settling. Good passing and handling were at a premium.

Never the less, the Falcons showed good endeavour. Oliver Corbett worked hard as always and demonstrated his growing intelligence on the field.

James North and Dominic Phillips again enjoyed their tackling, North showing strength of character to continue after taking a nasty blow to the face!

For all their effort, the Falcons went a try down after failing to make vital tackles when it counted.

The boys went looking for an immediate reply; Josh Suddaby using all his strength to drive the ball all the way from the half way line to the try line while under considerable pressure. Unselfishly, Suddaby then slipped the ball to James North, who was in close support to ground the ball. Five points each, right on the half-time whistle!

Following the half-time team talk, the boys notably tried to pass the ball and work more as a team.

Lewis Kenney and Josh Wright worked hard with some good tackling.

Josh Balance cleanly handled a very difficult ball around the ankles to set himself up for a good drive forward.

Walsall’s “big man” must have wondered what was going on as Jacob Abraham dropped him like a sack a’ spuds with an excellent, text book tackle.

Craig Plummer found himself in possession and went on a strong drive, only to be dispossessed by some fine Walsall ripping.

An excellent pass from Oliver Corbett out to Cameron Scobie allowed the winger to run in the Falcons second try and take the lead.

Charlie Newcombe then acquitted himself well with a good run resulting in him scoring his first try of the season (a feat he would repeat twice in the next game having sampled the taste of glory. Well done Charlie!!)

The final whistle blew ending, at times, a somewhat lack lustre performance compared to previous matches.

The boys continued to work hard and showed good team spirit to ensure another victory.

Man of the match and Series: Cameron Scobie (fully committed as ever! Less opportunity to tackle today but showed excellent handling and running skills from a wide position – superb try!)

Burton Eagles 30 Walsall 5

Alex Dutoy started the game with a pass to Joshua Hart.  One side step, one missed tackle and the rest was a formality as Joshua scored the quickest try of the season.  Walsall’s first possession saw the ball carrier knocked backwards by a Charlie Quarterman tackle; Calum Launchbury and Joel Doleman cleared out the rook and Sam Willets passed to Jonathon Kingston, who presented the ball to Joshua Hart who obliged with a clean set of heels and his 2nd try.  The Eagles tackled hard again on the next possession and Alex Dutoy combined with Daniell Grimsdell to turn over ball once more.  A series of plays saw the Eagles get into promising positions but a bad pass here and there saw possession turned over.  Eventually the Eagles got it right again and good work from Tommy Collingwood and Jamie Dutton left the ball for Jonathon Kingston to pick up and charge at the Walsall line.  To their credit they stopped Jonathon just short of the line, only for Charlie Quarterman to pick up and finish the impressive period of play with the 3rd try.  Again loose passing cost the Eagles the opportunity to widen the scoring gap before half time. 

Connor Wood replaced the injured Charlie Quarterman (turn over ball tackle) for the re-start and was soon in the thick of the action.  His first contribution was a well timed tackle to set up a rook; Nadan Cox combined with Alex Dutoy to drive the ball forward and a quick pass from Sam Willets saw Connor Wood finish the play he started with a try in the corner.  The next Walsall possession was thwarted by a well timed tackle from Calum Launchbury; Daniell Grimsdell picked up the ball and fed Joshua Hart who ran a fantastic line through the Walsall line to register another hat trick of tries.  From the restart Walsall moved the ball down their right flank and a quick pass left their big centre face to face with Calum Launchbury; who obliged with a massive tackle that left the centre crumpled and the ball in the hands of Jamie Dutton who helped by Jonathon Kingston mauled the ball down field.  William Hulbert was presented the ball a few metres out and his determination got him over the Walsall line to finish the scoring for the Eagles.

The Eagles won this game at a canter and it seemed at times that they eased their play in accordance with the opposition.  The coaches were somewhat dismayed at times with the stand-off-ish-ness (does that word exist?) of elements of the Eagles play.  This was especially noticeable in the tackling in the last minutes of the first half.  Walsall were weaker opposition to that of Ashby, however, the lads have to play what is in front of them and play full on rugby at all times.  The winning margin would have been greater with full commitment at all times and better passing/handling.  However, it was a good win and just reward for the mothers who sacrificed their breakfast in bed day to watch rugby. Who’d be a dad!    

Man of the Match: Calum Launchbury (several well timed tackles and one massive hit).