London Welsh kicked off into a strong wind under blue skies at Pools in the Park in Richmond. Oakmeadians started strong, breaking through the Welsh defence after the first ruck, but were stopped dead in their tracks after a great tackle from Welsh on the 22. The Oaks scrum half chipped the ball over the Welsh back line straight into full back Paula’s arms. Paula attempted to run the ball through but the referee decided she was guilty of crossing and awarded Oakmeadians a penalty right under the Welsh posts. 

London Welsh 0 – Oakmeadians 3

Welsh kicked off with added determinedness. Good pressure from the Welsh chasers caused Oakmeadians to knock on giving Welsh their first scrum. Scruffy ball for Miriam was passed along the back line where Paula was pushed into touch. The Oaks line out wasn’t straight so Welsh took the scrum. A much cleaner ball allowed Miriam to run free and find a great line to sprint deep into Oaks territory. A good tackle from Oaks sent her spinning but not before she was able to offload to the inside centre Helen who scored just outside the right post. A great conversion attempt by Paula saw the ball bounce off the posts.

London Welsh 5 – Oakmeadians 3

Oaks restarted with a huge kick from the scrum half. Paula cleared the ball where it slipped out of an Oaks player’s arms into touch. Welsh won the line out and some great rucking saw Welsh quickly at Oaks 22m line for anther line out. A great run by Ceara followed by Bryoni gave Miriam some quick ball. Welsh were awarded a penalty for players lying on the ball and a good driving maul formed but was pushed into touch. Ending hopes of a try the Oaks scrum half cleared the ball to half way. 

Some great rugby develops with both sides raising their game. Welsh managed to hold the possession slightly better but with a great boot on the Oaks scrum half meant Oaks faired better in the territory stakes. Another great run from the Oaks left wing saw Oaks back on the Welsh 22 where Welsh hands in the ruck saw Oaks slot home yet another penalty under the posts

London Welsh 5 – Oakmeadians 6

Another knock on at the restart saw a Welsh scrum on the half way line. Maria found a great line and sprinted through to the Oaks try line but he ball was held up over the line. Oaks cleared the ball to half way after the resulting scrum just before the half time whistle.

Oakmeadians kicked off and an unfortunate slice saw Welsh knock on giving Oaks a scrum. Miriam prevented the kick from the Oaks scrum half and a maul formed. A great rip from Ceara allowed Jane to use her speed to break through but the Oaks defence held firm preventing the try at the line. An Oaks knock on in open play a strong scrum from the Welsh pack with awesome dummy running from Maria gave Miriam the all space she needed to run through the Oaks defence for a try.

London Welsh 10 – Oakmeadians 6

Oaks kick off and good hands from Welsh meant that Welsh ran through the Oaks defence to the Oaks 22 m line. Another strong scrum from Welsh with clean ball meant that Miriam could run through again catching Oaks unawares and scoring her second try in less in than 5 minutes!!

London Welsh 15 – Oakmeadians 6

Oaks kicked off and good work from both packs in the set moves kept the game flowing well with the ball being shipped all over the park by both teams. The strong kicking from the Oaks scrum half tested the Welsh defence time and time again, but Welsh were able to hold firm. Some great breaks from the wingers looked like Welsh might put another try over the line but crunching tackles from the Oaks flankers prevented all onslaughts getting through.

The equality in the teams made this a great game to watch with good vocal support from Welsh fans. London Welsh now look forward to meeting league winners Camberley in the semi final round in a fortnight’s time.

London Welsh train on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm at Pools in the Park with matches on Sundays. We are always on the lookout for new players of any ability to join us. Please see our website at www.lwwrfc.org.uk  for more details.