Recap
Druids win at ODP to stay top
The Druids 1st home game of the season found them matched against local opposition in Rosslyn Park.
The opening interaction between the teams saw the Druids pressing into the RP half but a forced pass gifted RP the ball to see them take the first score of the day after just 3 mins.
The restart finds Welsh pressing again into the RP half. Though several passages of play the ball gets into the hands of Rhys Tudur Davies, who puts winger Alex Tarrant away feeding back inside to Iwan Humphreys, then to support 9 Robbie Frazer before number 6 Tan Chabata goes over for a try. Its then Rhyr Tudur Davies steeping up to convert putting Welsh into the lead 7:5
During the passage of play the Welsh tight head Mike Griffiths has taken a knock resulting in him leaving the field at this early stage . He is replaced by Evan Pryer
The Welsh scrum looses its solidity, with the ball exiting the side of the scrum its RP with the ball and on the attack. Stout defence by the welsh wins a turn over on our own line with outside half Lloyd Davies clearing the ball to the Welsh 22. The resulting line out again sees RP on the attack but the ball goes dead in goal and the Welsh have to restart with a goal dropout. The Welsh 10 spots the gap in the RP defence and puts in a beautiful running kick that sees the ball into touch on 1/2 way, Callum Sheedy would be happy with that piece of footballing skill.
Class work from scrum half Robbie Fraser puts up a box kick that brings Welsh to the RP 22. A super Welsh line sees them drive on to the RP line before the ball goes through the hands of back and forwards before linking with hooker Andy May to secure Welsh 2nd try of the afternoon. The missed conversation reflecting in the score board standing at 12:5 to the Welsh.
From the restart Welsh show some clean and tidy forward work but the RP backs look dangerous with the ball in hand. Another scrappy Welsh scrum forces the Welsh 9 to show his experience with an excellent clearance kick that puts the RP wing under pressure and draws a scrum restart from the knock on. Welsh win the scrum and get winger Deiniol Jones down the line before being put into touch 5m off the RP line.
The remain few minutes of the half see both teams working hard and delivering a fine display for those watching on from the grandstand. The absence of further scores in the half testament to both teams unwillingness to concede much space.
Halftime – Welsh 12 : 5 Rosslyn Park.
Ewan Bowen Rhys replaces Robbie Fraser at 9, quality for quality. Fred White replacing Alex Tarrant on the wing.
The second half continues on from where we had left in the 1st period. Welsh under pressure in the scrum and having to rely increasingly on ball won in the loose and through some excellent work in the line out, provided by star performers Felix Collins, James Roberts and Tan Chabata.
However as RP started to tire it was the Welsh that began to take more loose ball. The first score of the period sees the Druids putting pressure on the RP line who struggle to clear for a 15m line out. A ruck from the quality line out and drive sees new 9 Bowen Rees putting Fred Howell into space, a mazey run final putting Fred White away to score an unconverted try. Welsh 15:5 Rosslyn Park
RP showed ambition and attack from their own 25. An attempted to wrong foot Lloyd Davies at outside half sees his opposite number bounced back. The RP 10 will probably think twice about repeating the same move to follow the inside path again.
The Druids struggles in the scrum are not going to improve. Matt Oakes has put in a fine shift in the front row but leaves the field with injury. Good work Matt, its been a difficult afternoon.
It’s the same group of players that execute the bonus try for the Welsh. Ewan Bowen Rees soft hands putting Fred Howell into space, Fred does look dangerous in open play and constantly looking for a gap to exploit. It’s now on to Fred White again to go the final 25m for the try which Rhys Tudur Davies converts. Tudur Davies may have scuffed a couple of attempts but he’s put over some fine conversions this afternoon, which brings us close to the 2nd bonus scoring 25 points.
RP have not given up, they have looked dangerous behind their more powerful scrum all afternoon. Quick hands sees them over for a try quickly converted. RP now have 12 points but its too far back to catch the Welsh who have not yet looked like running out of steam.
The final try is the best of the day. James Roberts forces another RP mistake in the line. Iwan Humphrey’s again looks dangerous in attack and puts Deiniol Jones away down the wing, covering the final 25m for another try beautiful converted by Rhys Tudor Davies. That seals the two bonus points for Welsh and a final score of 31:12
Final Score Welsh 31 : 12 Rosslyn Park 4th’s
Welsh with the double bonus 4 try’s and 25 points
Man of the match for a fine attacking and defensive display in the centre – Iwan Humphreys
New week the Druids are away on Regents Park for a 14:00 KO against Belzise Park RFC
Match Preview
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season | Full Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 25, 2021 | 3:00 pm | Middlesex Merit Table Premiership | 2021/22 | 80' |
Ground
| Old Deer Park |
|---|
| Oxenhouse Lane, Kew, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, London, Greater London, England, TW9 2AS, United Kingdom |
Results
| Club | Penalty Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|
| London Welsh Druids | 0 | 29 |
| Rosslyn Park 4 | 0 | 12 |