London Welsh 12 - Exeter Chiefs 10
Jan
Harsh words from the coach and selection changes filled the visiting supporters with more than the usual anticipation on a cold but bright day in west London, but after an equally bright start, Chiefs suffered their third successive defeat despite playing well.
Chiefs received kick-off with the sun behind them and immediately looked a more purposeful outfit than in recent weeks. The ball came more quickly from the breakdown and there were few of the errors that have littered some performances. Chiefs dominated early possession despite conceding two scrum penalties, and it was no surprise when after successive five-metre lineouts from penalties, the pack mauled over with Saul Nelson receiving the congratulations. Danny Gray hit the post with the conversion.
Chiefs maintained the possession and the pressure, with Gray missing two penalty attempts. The backs were kicking with more purpose and accuracy. It was 25 minutes before a long break from Paul Mackey gave the home supporters anything to cheer about, but Welsh knocked on and conceded a penalty to take them back into danger. This led to a long period of sustained pressure with quick ruck ball but Chiefs were unable to reach the line, missed another penalty and at half-time held only a five-point lead despite the one-sided game.
Gray continued his mixed day with the boot by kicking off the second half straight into touch. The Welsh applied pressure for the first time and a blind-side break would have produced a try if the scoring pass had not been dropped. Pressure was relieved when the Chiefs front row forced a penalty at a subsequent five-metre scrum, but Welsh came back and continued to look dangerous with their traditional incisive running. It took 10 minutes and some replacements for Chiefs to recover some poise and force their way back into Welsh territory. But when Guy Mercer was invited to rest after tackling from an offside position, Chiefs failed to take advantage and lacked their first half snap.
Neither could they match the Welsh capacity for the outside break, and with 15 minutes remaining, Greg Evans crossed in the right corner after another pacy attack, but the conversion went narrowly wide.
When Welsh let the kick-off bounce, Dave Gannon picked up the gift and forced play into the 22. A clearance kick was caught on halfway by Tom Johnson, and a long pass enabled a break by Phil Dollman who brilliantly released Matt Jess. Jess beat two men to score, though replacement Gareth Steenson missed the conversion, and it was clear the last 10 minutes would be nervous ones for Chiefs’ supporters.
Welsh responded with pace and determination, and Chiefs started to look ragged. They were unable to control possession, and the Welsh camped around the Chiefs’ 22. With three minutes left Sam Blythe was carded for a high tackle, and the tension notched up. The Welsh backs probed and probed, and as the clock ran down, the 14 Chiefs were spread across the field, with Mercer eventually finding himself in a huge gap under the posts where he dived over to rapturous acclaim. Gordon Ross chipped the only successful kick by either side all day and the final whistle went.
Teams:
London Welsh – Lewis-Pratt; Evans, Mackey, Whatling, Claassens; Ross, Runciman; Holford, Buckland, Ward (Williams 51mins), Garvey (Powell 64mins), Corker, Mills (capt) (Beach 50–54mins, 65mins), Mercer, Brown.
Exeter Chiefs – Marsden; Jess, Sestaret (Bedford 51mins), Dollman, Foster; Gray (Steenson 65mins), Thomas; Moon (Budgen 64mins), Nelson (Blythe 64mins), Tui, Hayes (capt), Bentley (Gannon 57mins (Nelson 78mins)), Slade (Johnson 54mins), Scaysbrook, Baxter.
Officials:
Ref – Mark Wilson; TJs: Paul Kimber & Nigel Carrick.
Scorers:
London Welsh – Tries: Evans, Mercer; Con: Ross
Exeter Chiefs – Tries: Nelson, Jess.
By Martin Johnson
