With a number of players out of action with injury, it was a great opportunity for Sils to introduce their newest player from New Zealand Stefan Dickinson.

Sils started strongly, notching a converted try within the first minute.

But Walsall’s reply, with a try of their own, was swift.

Steve Hawkins stretched the visitors lead with a penalty but again the home side responded with a try to level things at 10-10.

Matt Lee restored Sils’ lead with their second try. converted by Hawkins giving them a useful 17-10 advantage.

The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides responding well to the opposition pressure and Walsall again brought the scores level with a converted try, only to concede a penalty and give Hawkins the chance to restore Sils lead with is trusty right boot.

He duly obliged and the visitors held a narrow 20-17 lead.

A riveting first half was ended in some style by Sils as they notched up another try to secure a useful advantage at the interval.

And early in the second half the visitors continued to look like the stronger side as they increased their lead with a another try and conversion and a 32-17 lead.

But Walsall responded immediately with a try and, spurred on by that, began to exert some real pressure.

Sils battled gamely but the determination and renewed vigour of the homes side soon began to take its toll.

A further try and conversion brought the home side to within striking distance of Sils’ score at 32-29 as the clock tucked around to the 80-minute mark.

And as the game moved into extra time, Walsall conjured with a final try in the 82nd minute to snatch away the hard-fought victory Sils had thought was theirs.

Two bonus points, however, leave Sils comfortably in sixth place in the league with five fixtures left.