A LAST-gasp penalty ensured Rugby Welsh were edged out 28-26 by Birmingham Civic Service in their Midlands Five West (South) opener at the weekend.
Civil Service started brightly with two penalties giving them an early lead.
Welsh worked their way back into the game and responded through Adam Bond who crashed over for a try, with Angus Wilson converting.
However, with the last move of the half, the visitors bagged a converted try to take a 20-7 lead going into the break.
After the interval Welsh enjoyed more of the possession before a trio of penalties from Wilson narrowed the gap.
Following a Welsh sin-binning, Civil Service looked to have sealed the victory with an unconverted try but the hosts stuck to their plan and were rewarded for their efforts.
Wilson slotted over a penalty before Leigh Colledge bundled over the whitewash for a try near the touchline.
The conversion from Welson put Welsh ahead for the first time only for a late penalty from Civil Service to ensure it was the visitors coming away with the points.
Welsh make the trip to Birmingham Exiles on Saturday.
