The English National Division 1 is shaping up to be a 3 horse race in the early stages of the season with the expected front runners leading the way.

London Welsh and Bedford Blues will put their unbeaten records on the line at Old Deer Park next Saturday, after the Dragons maintained their winning start to the new season with a six try demolition of Sedgley Tigers.

The Dragons condemned the Tigers to their first defeat of the campaign to join Bedford and Leeds Carnegie as the only remaining National One sides still able to boast 100 per cent records.

Welsh were given the perfect start when Aaron Hopkins crashed over after just three minutes, but unable to build on that needed Darrell’s touchdown on the stroke of half-time to give them a nine-point cushion at the break.

But the Dragons pulled away with devastating effect in the second-half, as Allen Chilten’s try four minutes in was the trigger for the floodgates to open as Dan George, Tom Brown and Peter Murchie all crossed for debut competitive tries in Welsh colours.

Following on from wins over Moseley and Doncaster Knights, Welsh were given the ideal start when Brown drove into the Sedgely 22, after a high tackle on Tom Tombleson, and Aled Thomas’ pass sent Hopkins over. Thomas couldn’t add the extras but it would be the only time the Welsh No.10 would be wide of the uprights.

The Dragons were threatening to run riot as Brown gobbled up the restart and a great chase by Hopkins had the home side once again on the back foot. The Tigers cleared their lines only as far as Ed Lewis-Pratt and the Welsh full back led a counter that would ultimately see Paul Sampson denied a score in the corner due to a stray foot in touch.

But the home side were offered an easy three point chance when Welsh were penalised for crossing and Sedgley fly half Phil Jones bisected the uprights. That lifted the Tigers and after a slow start, with the home side now beginning to play some neat rugby albeit without threatening the Welsh line.

Peter Swatkins and Chris Leck both made half breaks but Welsh were able to contain the side starting the day two places above them in the league in the lofty position of second.

Thomas extended the Welsh lead with a penalty after Matt Corker had stolen Sedgley ball and Jonathan Mills barged his way into the Tigers 22. But Jones replied in kind for Sedgley after second row pairing of Tim Fourie and Glen Townson had combined well to pierce a hole in the red jerseys.

Jones spurned the chance to edge the Tigers ahead, but Welsh would prove far less wasteful as Jones then knocked on inside his own 22 in first-half added time. Brown picked up the from the base of the resulting scrum and after Paul Doran Jones had also driven on, Ball held off his man to stretch for the line and give the Dragons the perfect end to a half they had started in similar vain. Thomas converted and Welsh headed for the dressing room nine points to the good.

The second-half would prove to be an all together different affair however, as although Welsh once again grabbed the early initiative, this time they would not relent until the bonus point was secure and the result beyond doubt.

Tom Rock’s pass to release Sampson was adjudged forward, denying the wing what, on another day, might have been his second try of the afternoon, but Welsh would not be denied for long.

Thomas’ testing high ball was knocked on by Matt Riley and the back tracking Chris Leck was forced to hack the ball out for a Welsh lineout just metres from the home sides line. Corker secured quick lineout ball off the top, finding the fast arriving Chilten who cut a great line through the Tigers shirts to touch down. Thomas converted.

It would be the catalyst for two further Welsh tries in the space of three minutes as first Mills was in the right place to collect overthrown Tigers lineout ball and Thomas’ decision to turn down the kickable three points on offer brought swift reward, as George crashed over to secure the bonus point.

Thomas added the extras and was soon slotting over another two pointer, after Welsh won a scrum against the head and Brown picked up and dived over. Try number for six arrived for the Dragons after Ball won good lineout ball and Mills made the hard yards. Quick ball saw Welsh spread play along the line with Tom Tombleson providing the final scoring pass for Peter Murchie to cross. Thomas converted.

The only blot on Welsh’s copy book coming in the dying minutes as the Dragons finally saw their line breached. Having conceded just one try in their opening 160 minutes of National One action, and that coming virtue of a penalty try, Oliver Cook picked up from a scrum and released Swatkins to cross in the corner. But it was a minor blot.

Post Match Reaction:

Martin Jones – Director of Coaching

“Bedford will be the bench mark; they’re a top five side, they play expansive rugby, so do we, so it will be a great challenge at Old Deer Park.

“I thought we had good control in the first-half but we didn’t turn pressure into points. Sedgley Tigers are always a difficult side to play against, especially at home, they live off scraps and the half-time talk was important today, firstly for the boys to refocus on the game plan and secondly to put some execution in.

“That was a different momentum call [Allen Chilten’s try]; Aled kicked superbly again today, giving us good field position and we had a good lineout position. Off the top lineout and Allen’s gone underneath. Another turning point was a massive scrummage where we drove them off the ball from which we scored.”

London Welsh scorers:
Tries: Hopkins, Ball, Chilten, George, Brown, Murchie; Cons: Thomas (5); Pens: Thomas.

London Welsh:
E Lewis-Pratt (Murchie 58min), P Sampson, T Rock, A Hopkins, T Tombleson, A Thomas (Marks 68mins), A Chilten (Walker 66min), D Williams (Liffchak 58min), D George (Kwasnicki 68min), P Doran Jones, M Corker, M Powell © (Lewaravu 61min), J Mills, D Ball, T Brown (Audley 58min).

In the much anticipated Cornish Pirates clash with Exeter the visiting Exeter team gained bragging rights with a 32 - 23 win.

RESULTS
   
Cornish Pirates 23 - 32 Exeter 
Doncaster 28 - 22 Rotherham Titans 
Leeds Carnegie 58 - 14 Otley 
Bedford 53 - 12 Newbury 
Esher 3 - 25 Nottingham 
Moseley 34 - 12 Coventry 
Plymouth Albion 47 - 6 Manchester 
Sedgley Park 11 - 43 London Welsh 

TABLE

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