RUGBY Welsh took a break from their table-topping exploits in Midlands Five West (South) to down Harbury Seconds 29-21 in a re-arranged friendly.
With no shortage of confidence going into the trip as a result of their seven-game winning run, Welsh unsurprisingly took the game to their opponents and spent the majority of the opening quarter in Harbury’s territory.
An early try was disallowed for the visitors, though Adam Bond immediately made amends when drifting inside with the ball before powering his way over the try line. Angus Wilson then successfully kicked the extras.
In the scrum, Rugby were notably strong, causing their opponents no end of problems.
It was this dominance that allowed them to keep retaining possession and score again through Jordan Rowbottom, with Wilson again converting.
Harbury did not wilt and fought back hard, shifting the pendulum to force Welsh on the back foot during a period of attacking play from the hosts.
While backs Pete Miller and Lloyd Pulford put in a considerable shift to deny the hosts a route back into the game, the concerted pressure eventually led to a converted try for Harbury before the break.
The momentum gained from the try continued to lift Harbury, and soon they were level with a second converted score of the afternoon.
With the game in the balance at 14-14, Rugby regrouped and went back in front as a result of Wilson’s penalty.
A lead for Welsh, albeit a slim one, gave them all of the incentive needed to close out the game.
Gareth Hart was next to cross the whitewash for the visitors, followed by a converted effort from Bond, who crossed over in the corner.
Even with Harbury crossing the line a final time, Rugby had another win on the board ahead of a visit to Five Ways Old Edwardians on Saturday (2.15pm).
