Recap

MATCH REPORT: London Welsh continue their winning form with a seven try rout.

London Welsh got back to winning ways with a 45-19 victory at home to exile rivals London Irish.In the twelfth minute, Welsh got the first points of the afternoon through first XV debutant Jonathan Ilori.

After winning an Irish line-tout, the Exiles counter attacked and passed it down the line, from one player to the next. The ball eventually made its way to the hands of the winger, who’s electric pace saw him stroll over the line. McAvoy’s added conversion made it 7-0.

Minutes later, Welsh had an opportunity to score another. After winning a penalty, scrum half, Adam Nixon quickly tapped the ball. After counter attacking, and with an overlap created, the home side nearly scored in the corner, but for Louie Groark knocking the ball on, just before the white line.

In the twenty third minute, Welsh scored a penalty try, after a scrum deep in the Irish twenty two, was proven to be too much for the visitors to handle, and led the referee with only one choice. 14-0.

The Exiles scored their third try ten minutes later. A breakaway from Tom Baldwin, created space for an offload to Nixon. From there, a simple offload to Matt Pollen saw the centre score his first try for the club. The added extras made it 21-0. On the brink of half time, London Irish scored their first try of the contest to make the half time score, 21-7.

Eight minutes into the second half, London Welsh scored their bonus point try. A kick down field was caught by the full back, Tom Hunt, who found a bit of space and made a breakaway. With an audacious pass, he found winger, Ilori, who scored in the corner. McAvoy missed the conversion to make it 26-7.

In the fifty third minute, Irish scored their second try, thanks to some poor defending. However, they missed their conversion to make it 26-12.

In the fifty seventh minute Welsh scored their fifth try of the match through Griff Whitson. After winning another Irish line-out deep in the opposite twenty two, patient phase play eventually saw Whitson score his fourth of the season under the posts. Conversion made 33-12. Minutes later Welsh scored another try through Tom Williams. 

Welsh were awarded a penalty and chose to go for a scrum, as it was just by the try line. The scrum, which was excellent for Welsh throughout the game, pushed their opponents over the try line, and the number eight simply dived on the ball. McAvoy’s missed the conversion to make it 38-12.

Seven minutes before full time, Irish scored their third and final try of the contest. Added conversion made it 38-19.

On the brink of full time, Welsh scored another try through winger Ilori, for his hat trick. After overturning an Irish ruck in the Welsh twenty two, the ball was laid off to the winger who no one could beat thanks to his blistering pace, and saw him score under the posts. McAvoy’s conversion made the full time score, 45-19.

Gallery

The second half of the season was due to start just before the Christmas break with a visit from one of our fellow Exile teams but a last minute change in the RFU’s covid regulations caused the match to be postponed. Our two clubs met in the second round of matches on a glorious day at Hazelwood and Welsh ran in four tries to win 31-5,

The result was still in the balance at half time with a narrow 11-5 lead but a much improved second half pushed London Welsh further ahead without the home team being able to add any further points. The try scorers that day were Ben West, Paulo Peschisolido, Liam Chennels and Jack Anderson with Osian McAvoy adding a conversion and three penalties.

Irish have won just three games this season, all of which have been at home. London Cornish fell to them 22-16, Cobham were beaten by one point whilst KCS Old Boys also finished within a single score. The defeats have been heavier though with the biggest an 89-0 home loss against Camberley. The new year looked promising with the narrowest of defeats at home to Medway (24-25) but since then three straight defeats, including 26-10 at London Cornish, have kept Irish in the penultimate league spot with 18 league points and a points difference of -322. They are eight points ahead of bottom placed London Cornish but with no relegation the pressure is off this season.

London Welsh come into this game off the back of a disappointing result at home to Camberley who inflicted the first home league defeat since March 2017. The team will be looking to turn this around against Irish and keep up the push to finish the season as league champions. After the last round of fixtures Welsh remain top of the league with a one point margin over Camberley. Medway hold third place and have edged away from Hammersmith & Fulham. 

On the injury front: Sion Cowdy continues on the rehab trail and will be joined by Club Captain Chris Lilly, fly half Lloyd Davies and Kiwi flanker Tim Ross on the sidelines with injury. However, the Round 19 Match should see the long awaited return of hooker Jack Burnett has been out with injury since early November 2021.There is a slight injury concern over Paolo Peschisolido as the top try scorer suffered a bruised rib in Round 18.

Kick off is at the earlier time of midday with the pre match lunch converting to an Irish themed guiness breakfast; the bars will be open with the Six Nations matches shown during the afternoon.