10:41am Thursday 25th January 2007
London Welsh cruised through to the next round of the EDF Energy National Trophy with a 32-5 victory at National Three South stalwarts Dings Crusaders at Lockleaze on Saturday, writes Vicky Cheevers.
After weaving their way through the infamous Bristol estate, the team could not have encountered a more friendly and hospitable club, which made the match an extremely pleasurable visit for all despite copious amounts of mud and a biting wind.
Welsh took advantage of the fourth-minute sin-binning of Dings flanker Vince Murrrell for persistent infringement and took advantage with inside centre Duncan Hayward scoring the first try in the left winger.
When Dings winger Sylvan Edwards showed great pace and quick feet to break free a home try looked on the cards, but he was no match for Paul Sampson who stopped him firmly in his tracks just before the 22.
Instead, Welsh produced the next score through Neil Taylor in the 15th minute after a great pick-up from Owen Williams.
The third try came four minutes later through James Storey after some wonderful handling, with Hayward kicking his first.
conversion.
Jon Mills then followed up with the fourth try to the right of the posts, with Hayward again converting.
Hayward kicked a penalty despite the difficult wind to extend the lead further.
But Welsh had Pierre Durant sinbinned in the first minute of stoppage time and Dings took advantage with a try.
The visitors' half-time lead was still a healthy 27-5 and, perhaps predictably, the second half was pretty uneventful save for a few bouts of aggressiveness.
The only points for either side were scored by James Wellwood in the corner.
As the pitch got boggier and the wind blew a gale, it became difficult for either side to make any further headway.
London Welsh: Neil Taylor, Paul Sampson (James Wellwood, h/t), James Storey, Duncan Hayward, Alex Cadwallader (Brett McNamee 49-53 blood), Tom Marks (Owen Williams, 14), Allen Chilten (Owain Walbyoff, 46); Dorian Williams, James Campbell (Chris Ritchie, 62), Pierre Durant (Aaron Liffchak, 41-50 sin bin, 50), Howard Quigley (Alex Ayling, h/t), Phil Clarke, Richard Griffith, Martin Anayi, Jon Mills (Brett McNamee, 72).
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