MIDLANDS 5 West (South) outfit Rugby Welsh completed their preparations for the new season with a 26-26 draw against Earlsdon’s second XI, ahead of Saturday’s (3pm) season opener at Bloxwich.
Welsh, boosted by the returning Jason Reynolds and Will Allen, started their final warm-up game in good spirits and were the team most likely to record the opening try.
Jason Warren was the man to do just that, racing into a pocket of space which allowed him to break free and go over from close range for a converted try.
The hosts were not to be taken lightly though and began to grow into the game, eventually levelling with a converted try after Welsh sloppily conceded a series of penalties.
Earlsdon then took the lead with a second score of the game, before Matty Richards sent Rugby in with the lead at the break after scoring a try that was converted by Angus Wilson.
Adam Bond’s kick forward released Jack Taylor to allow him the chance to notch the first score of the second half and extend the lead further.
But the hosts were not to be beaten, leveling soon after before taking the lead with five minutes remaining.
To Welsh’s credit, they battled on until the end and were rewarded when Wilson drove over following a five-metre line-out, enough to secure his side a draw.
