RUGBY Welsh produced a spirited display to romp home to a 41-15 win over Old Leamingtonians 2nds at the weekend in their final friendly fixture before a semi-final in the Midland Junior Vase.
The match was preceded by a minute silence for local AEI player Ian Cockerill who passed away recently, before Welsh were able to get underway and test themselves against a useful outfit in Old Leams.
An opening quarter saw both sides go all-out to carve out chances, but it would take Angus Wilson’s bursting 40 metre run past the blind side of a ruck to give Welsh a lead to open the game, albeit with a conversion missed.
The visiting Welsh then saw Robin Tyerman find an opening to score another unconverted try, after prop Jack Worall-Soper set up a ruck, Tyerman later claiming a second try before the break.
With the scores at 15-5 at half-time, it proved a much more open affair in the second-half, and Jamie Roche epitomised the attacking tone of the half from Rugby when bursting through a crowd and demonstrating his power to crash over the line, as Wilson converted for full points.
A sensational try was claimed by Anthony Reynolds when he capped off a three-quarter move from inside Welsh’s own-half, though the Leamingtonians quickly claimed two unconverted tries to keep some distance between the two sides.
But it would prompt a blistering end to the game from Welsh, as Adam Bond went between the posts with a Wilson conversion, before Nick Haywood secured another try and Wilson claimed his third conversion of the game to wrap up the scoring.
Mellish prove the opponents in this weekend’s semi-final on Saturday (2pm), with a large following expected, accompanied by an official club coach. Travelling fans are urged to contact the club regarding travel arrangements to Nottingham.
