Express & Star

Wolves keen to end the year on a high

Wolverhampton have their sights set on ending the year in the Midlands 2 West (North) top two.

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The Castlecroft outfit maintained their promotion push with a hard-earned 24-13 derby day success at Walsall to sit third in the table.

But with the top two – Ludlow and Tamworth – going head to head at the weekend, a victory at home to Spartans could fire Wolves above one of their rivals.

“We said a few weeks ago that if we could win our last three games of the year, then that would put us right up there,” said club spokesman Ian Harley.

“We have won the first two and hopefully we can beat Spartans on Saturday and climb into the top two.

“It won’t be easy and we certainly won’t be taking them lightly, but it would be great to go into the Christmas break in the top two.”

Saturday’s success was a hard-fought one and wasn’t sealed until late on when Pete McMahon grabbed Wolves’ fourth try to finally break Walsall’s resistance.

“We didn’t play as well as we could on Saturday, but sometimes it’s all about getting the result,” added Harley.

“We are not used to playing on a 4G pitch and that can be a disadvantage. It was quite tricky, especially when it got wet.

“But the sides that win promotion can find a way of winning when they are not at there best and we did that.

“Injuries are starting to take their toll and I think everyone will benefit from the break.”

Walsall will be disappointed to have lost after a spirited display that saw them trailing by just four points as the game entered the final stages.

But No.8 McMahon went over after several drives from close range with Tom Jones adding the extras to clinch the win.

Wolves had led 12-3 at half-time following tries from Andy Ferriday and George Smailes and a Jones conversion. Roger Weston responded with a penalty for Walsall.

Another Weston three-pointer after the break cut the gap before Ash Bithel bagged another try for the visitors.. Walsall No.8 Hal Gozukucuk crossed the line with Weston adding an excellent conversion from the touchline to cut the gap to four but it was McMahon who had the final say for the visitors.

Stafford produced a battling display but couldn’t prevent league leaders Ludlow heading home with a bonus-point success in the bag.

The visitors started well and tries from Will Sparrow and Joe Doyle, plus a Sparrow conversion put them 12-0 up.

But Stafford refused to buckle under the early onslaught and hit back in style.

Gaz O’Connor forced his way across the line for a well-deserved try and after Sparrow had landed another penalty, Stafford’s Sam Chatfield touched down with Lewis Cantrill adding the conversion to pull the hosts within three points.

But Ludlow then took charge in he second half and added further tries from Sparrow, Charlie Doyle and Jack Small.