OLD Halesonians bounced back from last week’s late disappointment to seal a last-gasp win of their own with a 27-23 triumph over Walsall.

Steven Head powered over for the winning score in stoppage time of a thrilling game, which saw the momentum swing back and forth from the first whistle.

After an early Walsall penalty, Hales scored the first try through in-form Jon Tideswell on 17 minutes.

From an attacking scrum which began to lose shape, Tideswell picked up the ball and powered towards the line, pirouetting past his man and stretching over the line to score. The kick was missed by Seb Rose.

Both sides traded tries, first Walsall full-back Toby Funke showed an excellent turn of pace to weave through the chasing Hales defensive line to score under the posts before Hales struck back when Rose put winger Luke Smith to go over.

With Rose again unsuccessful with the difficult kick, the sides were tied at 10-10 at halftime.

Hales went ahead almost from the restart as Alex Church went over. Rose added the conversion to give Hales a seven point lead only for Walsall to fight back again as Funke made a break and offloaded for Emmie to speed over for a converted try with 16 minutes left.

The visitor’s effective catch-and-drive mauling strategy was causing problems and with seven minutes to go it earned them a penalty try when Hales were penalised for a second-time in their 22, Emmie adding the conversion.

For a second week running it looked like Hales would lose a game they should have won but spurred on by a partisan crowd, they managed to gain good territory inside the Walsall 22.

After 13 phases of attritional forward play, the ball came to Head five yards out who assumed an excellent body position to power over the line.