League leaders gives Dragons the Blues

Something had to give at Old Deer Park in the battle of first against third and, regrettably for the home side, it was their 100 per cent record that bit the dust, as Bedford maintained their position at the top of National One.

Three second-half tries helped the Blues to a fourth consecutive win of the season, with Brendan Burke, Ryan Owen and William Twelvetrees touching down, after Welsh had led by a solitary point at the break.

Alec Jenkins’ late try looked to have set the stage for a dramatic finale but no sooner had Aled Thomas added the conversion to leave the Dragons within a converted try of victory, than James Pritchard’s fifth penalty ensured the win for the Blues, denying Welsh the small consolation of a losing bonus point.

It was Welsh that started the brighter but a succession of scrums would see the Dragons emerge empty handed, while Tom Rock’s charge down of Karl Dickson’s attempted clearance also went unrewarded.

It would be the catalyst for an ultimately frustrating afternoon for Welsh; one that would be characterized by missed opportunities.

Thomas’s 15th-minute penalty broke the deadlock after an opening quarter that hadn’t quite managed to live up to the pre-match billing, but Pritchard soon had the Blues level as he replied in kind from in front of the posts after the Welsh backs were adjudged offside.

But Welsh were soon back in front as an injection of pace from Paul Sampson breached the blues defensive line, and Tom Rock and Mike Powell took play to within metres of the Bedford line.

Welsh recycled and, with the Blues stretched, Thomas ghosted in under the posts and then added the simple conversion.

That good work was partly undone, however, when the Welsh scrum was penalised within range of the posts and Pritchard did the rest.

Bedford were beginning to awaken from their slumber and only a try saving tackle by Jonathan Mills denied Pritchard a try, as the Blues pressed.

But with advantage being played, following a high tackle by Rock on Ollie Dodge, Pritchard ensured that the Blues didn’t return empty handed as he slotted over his third penalty to reduce to gap to a single point.

Thomas widen the margin after a thunderous hit by Rock on Ryan but Welsh needed another try saving tackle, this time by Alex Walker on Blues captain Dan Richmond, to keep their tryline in tact.

Welsh, though, would end the half down to 14-men after Aaron Liffchak saw yellow for killing the ball following Dickson’ break out from his own 22 ended, with Pritchard slotting over his fourth penalty to see the Blues trail by a solitary point.

It was a numerical disadvantage Welsh would not have to endure for long however, as Mike Howard followed Liffchak into the sin bin on the restart, while Bedford number eight Rory McKay was the next to feel the full force of a crunching hit from Rock, as the Blues threatened.

Thomas fired over his third penalty but disaster then struck for the home side as the Blues crossed for a soft try.

Walker went to ground to secure Ian Davey’s kick ahead but when the ball suddenly squirmed out, in Bedford’s favour, the Blues were quick to take advantage and Burke dived over in the corner.

It was the first time Bedford had hit the front in the match and, when Ryan finished off a huge overlap for their second try, after the quick feet of Burke had seen the centre threaten to side step his way over the Welsh line, Bedford could sense win number four.

But Welsh were still carving out chances of their own and, although Tom Brown’s powerful break ended with McKay becoming the away sides’ second player to see yellow, Welsh weren’t able to make the Blues pay on the scoreboard.

It was ultimately at this juncture that the destiny of the four points would be decided, as Thomas sent the resulting penalty into the corner, only to see Welsh overthrow the lineout and Dickson lead a Bedford breakout that would end with William Twelvetrees touching down under the Welsh posts. Pritchard converted.

But the home side hit back as Alec Jenkins crossed for his first try in Welsh colours, after Brown had been hauled down agonisingly short of the line, and Thomas converted.

But, just as Welsh geared themselves for one final onslaught, the unerring boot of Pritchard bisected the uprights like a dagger through Welsh hearts to bring an end to the Dragons unbeaten run.

London Welsh scorers

Tries: Thomas, Jenkins; Cons: Thomas (2); Pens: Thomas (3).

London Welsh: E Lewis-Pratt, P Sampson, T Rock, A Hopkins, A Jenkins, A Thomas, A Walker, (N Runciman 52min) P Doran Jones (D Williams 55min), S Koto Vuli (D George 58min), A Liffchak, M Corker (W Lewrarvu 61min), M Powell (cap), J Mills, T Audley, T Brown.

Attendance: 1,931