Walsall 21 Whitchurch 36

Runaway champions Whitchurch had to dig deep to maintain their unblemished record in the Midlands Two West (North) with a battling 36-21 victory at Walsall.

Despite having swept aside their opponents 64-0 at Edgeley Park back in February, the Reds were under no illusion that the return fixture would prove far tougher.

And so it turned out with Walsall more than a handful in the heavy conditions at Delves Road, with the West Midlands men leading 18-7 and 21-12 in the second half as the visitors toiled.

But, as they have done so often the season, Whitchurch showed their resolve to hit back and preserve their proud 100 per cent league record.

The Reds will now look to reel off their 20th straight win in the league when they head to Staffordshire to tackle Newcastle on Saturday (3pm).

They then visit Shropshire rivals Cleobury Mortimer the following week before rounding off their triumphant campaign at home to Leek on April 28.

With the title long since wrapped up coach Scott Sturdy admits motivation could be the challenge for the players in the last three games.

With the visitors slow to get into their stride, Walsall made a flying start as they went 15-0 up with a couple of tries and a penalty.

They took the lead when the ball was kicked on, Will Hennessey gathered before feeding fellow centre Rob Angell to burst through for the touchdown, Roger Weston converting from wide out.

The hosts doubled the lead when, following a spell of pressure, centre Hennessy glided through the opposition defence for a well-worked try, which went unconverted.

The hosts continued to push, and increased their advantage with a 40-metre penalty from Weston after the visitors were penalised for dissent.

The Reds came more into the game and, having been denied by some sturdy defence, finally reduced the arrears just before the interval when centre Mike Gardiner's well-executed pass put Matt Davies over for a try near the posts which Ryan Horton converted.

The second half started well for Walsall as Weston kicked another good 40-metre penalty after the hosts were penalised for being offside.

Whitchurch hit back when second row Tom Welisbury got the decisive touch after the hosts had failed to deal with Horton's kick through

Another penalty from Weston ensured Walsall kept a healthy 21-12 lead, but the Reds showed their champion credentials to turn the game around.

No8 Jake Rees led the way with a couple of pushover tries from the back of the scrum, the first converted by Horton, to give his side the lead for the first time, albeit by just one point.

It was even stevens at this stage but, after some strong defence, Whitchurch struck twice in the latter stages to wrap up the win with a couple of touchdowns from Jed Towers.

The replacement intercepted a chipped kick to run from deep to score his first, and then bagged his brace moments later after being released by Matt Davies, Tom Skone converting.