LONDON WELSH 17, SEDGLEY PARK RUFC 21: PARK travelled, for the first time, to Old Deer Park to take on the once mighty London Welsh and emerged with their first away win of this the club's inaugural National One season writes Ernie Neely
With both sides intent on playing expansive rugby it was Sedgley who were the first to be rewarded.
Jimmy Naylor timed his run to perfection, taking a short pass from Chris Wilkinson and weaved his way through the Exiles defence for an unconverted try.
The visitors had to defend as the London team came back on the attack, with the boot of Blair Feeney relieving the pressure on several occasions.
Dylan Pugh kicked a penalty for Welsh and Park responded with a number of attacking moves, but their handling let them down.
A long range penalty attempt from Pugh then went wide and Welsh chased the loose ball, leading to Wilkinson being sin-binned for coming in from the wrong side.
From the resulting line-out Welsh were able to move the ball to their big centre, Adam Bidwell, who eluded a weak tackle to score under the posts.
Pugh converted to give the Londoners a 10 - 5 interval lead.
Welsh restarted and immediately went on the attack.
The referee penalised Park for offisde and Allen Chilten took a quick tap to send Matt Vines over in the corner for a try, which Pugh converted.
At 17-5 down, Sedgley changed tactics and Feeney, together with Arno de Jager, took to kicking for position.
This forced Welsh to commit a number of offside offences, with Feeney kicking two of them to reduce the arrears.
Park could now smell victory, and good runs by Richard Welding, de Jager and Jon Feeley were followed by Ian Voortman sidestepping a bemused Welsh defence to run 30 metres for a great try, which Feeney converted.
Welsh threw everything they had at their opponents, however, the defence that held good at Bedford last week was once again equal to the task, and after a five minute siege of their line, James Ponton relieved pressure with a kick upfield.
Park again took the initiative and were awarded a penalty, which Feeney kicked, to give them an important second win in National League One.
Sedgley have now wrung nine points from their last three games and entertain tough Devon outfit Exeter on Saturday at Park Lane.
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