RUGBY Welsh produced a powerful second-half display to book their place in the next round of the Clonwell Cup with a 48-18 victory over St Andrews 2nds.
St Andrews started the game impressively, winning plenty of early possession and making powerful runs through their forwards aided by their impressive halfbacks.
However, from their first attack Welsh took the lead when Glenn Bond burst through a couple of tackles to score an unconverted try.
St Andrews quickly responded and were soon level with a well worked try by their winger and took the lead with a converted try when their lively scrum half finished off a long range counter attack.
Welsh realised they needed to raise their intensity and they then went through the direct route, going through several forward phases culminating in Jamie Cranham crashing over for a try which Bond converted.
Shortly afterwards Bond made a lovely midfield break, linked up with the three quarters and Anthony Reynolds scored a try in the corner.
St Andrews were still well in the contest and a penalty left the Welsh 17-15 ahead at half-time.
A strong half-time team talk saw Welsh raise their game and they played some sublime rugby for the next 20 minutes.
Bond kicked a penalty before Welsh scored three converted tries in a short period of time.
Firstly, Bond raced in for an individual try before his brother Adam made a midfield break before setting up Reynolds for his second try.
The forwards were now in control, winning plenty of possession with St Andrews also struggling to cope with the Welsh three quarters pace.
Scrum Angus Wilson made a sniping break following forward drives for a try with the extra points being added by Bond.
Welsh played some fantastic rugby during the second half but to St Andrews credit they kept working hard but could not breach the strong home defence.
They did narrow the gap with a penalty but a sinbinning reduced them to 14 men and Welsh sealed their victory with another Bond penalty before a lovely break down the touchline from Adam Bond culminated in Matt Richards crashing over from short range.
Welsh return to Midlands Five West (South) action on Saturday when they travel to Birmingham Exiles.
