Their opponents were Walsall who, at present, lie in third spot and were also hoping to gain promotion
Even though Dronfield had gained a10-25 victory earlier in the season in the West Midlands they were fully aware that Walsall were on a nine-match winning run. Added to this was the fact that Walsall were the last side to defeat Dronfield at Gosforth Fields back in Dec 2024 Dronfield knew that they needed to be at their best to gain another home victory
Playing with the slope in their favour Walsall had the worst possible start to the game when within a couple of minutes Dronfield score a try A Dronfield kick through almost reached the Walsall try-line and when one of their defenders failed to control the ball Harley Saunders following up was able to ground the ball to score an opportunist try. His conversion from near the touchline was accurate. a sign of things to come throughout the game. The home side provided with the perfect start with a 7-0 early lead. This lead could have been increased soon after but for an unfortunate handling error with the try line beckoning. When attacking soon after, a Dronfield long cross-field pass in the Walsall half was intercepted by a Walsall player who sprinted unopposed to score a converted try The scores were now level at 7-7 even though Dronfield had had more possession in attack
After twenty minutes Walsall were penalised. In front of their posts and Dronfield had no hesitation in kicking for goal. Harley Saunders putting the home side back in front 10-7. The game was now moving from end to end, and it was becoming apparent that Dronfield would need to show resolute defending. Walsall were next to be awarded a kickable penalty and when it was successful the scores were once more level this time at 10-10.Both sides were attempting to test their opponent’s ability under a high ball kicked ahead. From one such kick both George Finlay and a Walsall player accidentally collided in mid-air, this led to a lengthy delay and resulted in it being the end of George Finlay’s participation in the game.
At the restart Dronfield began to become more dominant with increased opportunities for them to move the ball through hands. They attacked with more energy and purpose. Soon Lucas Rushton penetrated robust Walsall defending to score near the posts, The expected successful conversion meant that Dronfield lead was restored to 17-10. This try acted as a catalyst and when a Walsall clearance from their 22 was charged down Reika Mahmid scored for the home side Harley Saunders nonchalantly added the points and now the lead had widened to 24-10. There were only a few minutes remaining of the first half and when Walsall were given an opportunity to score a penalty the usually reliable Walsall kicker misjudged his attempt so that at the interval Dronfield had a 14-point lead.
Soon after the restart Dronfield were awarded a penalty and Harley Saunders who was giving a goal-kicking masterclass was as expected accurate with his attempt once more to further increase the home side’s lead to 27-10 To their credit Walsall showed great determination to get back into the game and maintained possession of the ball with wave after wave of short powerful drives. Dronfield did not help themselves giving away too many penalties and the resulting loss of possession of the ball. Eventually Dronfield’s defence was breached and a converted try meant it was now 27-17, Dronfield knew that they had still to achieve their two targets Firstly to gain a try bonus point and secondly and more importantly to gain a win. All was still very much in the balance
Dronfield began to show the necessary skills in attack varying the axis of their forward drives and moving the ball to both the open and blind sides to stretch the Walsall defence. Eventually a gap appeared and it was Jack Longden who was on hand to score a converted try.
The lead had now been extended to 34-17 and the lesser of their two objectives, a try bonus point had been achieved , When they were about to score again an illegal trip by a Walsall player resulted in the award of a red card . Walsall have a reputation of battling to the very end of games and with this mindset they scored once more to again close the gap 34-24
Before the end of the game there was time for one more score and it was fitting that it went to Jenson Cliff who playing at 10 showed balance in side- stepping his marker to score, With another successful kick, Harley Saunders had achieved a 100% kicking record for the afternoon with five conversions and two penalties,
Dronfield had won by 41-24 and with three league matches remaining it would appear the league champions will either be Dronfield or West Bridgeford from Nottingham. Dronfield will be fully aware that with West Bridgeford breathing down their necks they will need to once more achieve maximum points when they travel to Paviors for their next league fixture.
