Walsall fail to build on promising start
Walsall lost their way in the second half as they bowed out of the Staffordshire Cup.
![](https://www.expressandstar.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fcontentstore.nationalworld.com%2Fimages%2F6e84ff36-b486-4c3f-b39a-d19d8f5fe3ba.jpg?auth=30a4d63ef7d5869e66254cedbcbc9a1cef707f8b8049eaaaecd0d97ffc2fe544&width=300)
The hosts led visiting Leek 20-10 at the break following an impressive opening 40 minutes.
But Leek rallied after the interval and edged home 31-27.
After conceding an early penalty, Walsall hit back when some fine inter-passing ended with winger Cheval Taylor finding scrum half Dan Carpenter who powered over. Roger Weston added the conversion.
Prop forward Pete Fitzgerald added another try, followed by a Weston conversion, before Leek grabbed a converted try of their own.
And Walsall ended the half when Will Hennessey touched down and Weston added another two-pointer.
But Leek showed their attacking prowess after the break with three converted scores taking them clear.
Walsall set up a tense final five minutes when Fitzgerald burst through for his second, which Weston converted, but the visitors stood firm to book their place in the next round.