Hal Gozukucuk is a hat-trick hero for Walsall
Hal Gozukucuk bagged himself a hat-trick of tries as Walsall ran out 29-17 winners at Newcastle in Midlands Two West (North).
With captain Roger Weston forced to miss the match because of a head injury, 19-year-old George Perkins became the youngest ever captain of a Walsall first team.
A strong run from centre Richard Clarke gave Walsall field position from which No.8 Gozukucuk opened the scoring after just five minutes, and he doubled his try tally after good work from lock forwards Louis Vale and Mike Lockett.
The hosts closed the gap just before the interval, but Gozukucuk set up Ryan Tamillio to score his first try for the Walsall first team.
As the game moved into the final quarter, Gozukucuk scored his final try and secured his team a bonus point.
Seven more points for Newcastle set up a tense finish, but Ben Pitt made a well-timed interception and sprinted 30 metres to score near the corner flag.
In Midlands Three West (North), promotion-chasing Old Saltleians proved too strong for struggling Wednesbury as they ran out 37-0 winners.
Eccleshall were edged out 24-21 away to Harborne.
Rugeley were swept aside 55-5 by Midlands Four West (North) champions elect Clee Hill.
Bottom-of-the-table Cannock tasted success for just the second time this season, beating Aston Old Edwardians 33-7, while Essington saw off Warley, 35-18.
