Rugby finally returns to Old Deer Park!

Round 3 arrived in TW9 last weekend and was greeted by a beautiful end of summer day and another strong performance from both the 1st XV and the Druids.

The pre match lunch hospitality was treated to a 3 course meal, words from our sponsors, a catch up with DoR Cai Griffiths and the beautiful tones of our visitng welsh harpist Manon Browning.

On the playing front the squad was rotated giving first opportunities this season to Osian McAvoy (lead points corer since project reset), Harri Lang on debut following his move from Esher, Will Mckenna came in at tighthead, Andy Black moved to 8 and Lima Savaiinaea got his first start. There was a late enforced change with Aussie Byron Leach taken ill with the flu and he was replaced with big Ed Couzens in the row.

We had a minutes silence for club legend and long time benefactor Kelvin Bryon who as many will know sadly passed away 2 weeks ago.

Maidenhead kicked off in front of a crowd of 815 and in a party atmosphere. A fairly good crowd for this early in the season that bodes well for later in the year when we hope to surpass the project reset attendance record of 21/22 set at 1692 at home to Camberley.

The vistors had early possession of the ball just over the halfway line from the KO

but could not make any further progress upfield. After only four minutes Welsh gave away their first penalty just into their half, this would turn out to be a theme for the day as the Welsh penalty count was almost out of control at one point! Welsh reveived 2 yellow cards on the day and were down to 13 men at one point. Maidenhead kicked the penalty successfully through Greg Smith. Score 0 – 3 after 5 minutes.

From the restart Welsh gained possession and attacked in Maidenhead’s half but then gave away another penalty for offside. From the resultant lineout Welsh regained possession and

resumed their attack. It was then their turn to be awarded a penalty and Matt Hodgson kicked the the Exiles to only about seven yards from the Maidenhead try line for the ensuing lineout.

Welsh won the lineout and attacked right across the width of the field. The decisive break was made by an audacious and brilliant offload out of the back mid tackle by Samoan Lima Savaiinaea before finding Adam Dunne beat the last 2 defenders for pace to score wide on the left. Converted by Matt Hodgson, Score 7 – 3. That was Adams 13 try in 12 London Welsh appearances in all! 11 minutes gone.

Maidenhead gained possession from their restart and applied pressure in the Welsh half.

Maidenhead gained another penalty which they were unsuccessful in kicking. From the resulting drop-out Welsh gathered the ball and moved up into Maidenhead’s half. Welsh had all the ball amd territory fornthe first 20 minutes but we're hampered by the growing penalty count [14 in the first half].

Maidenhead regained

possession, pushed upfield and were awarded a penalty for a high tackle just inside the Welsh half. They again went fornthe posts whoch seemed to be their game plan, but the penalty kick was unsuccessful. Welsh gained possession from the drop-out and applied sustained pressure in the Maidenhead half. This pressure was finally relieved by

a penalty against the Welsh team for crossing!

The Maidenhead lineout struggled to compete with the Welsh defensive jumpers for much of the game, they lost the lineout following a penalty near the halfway line, allowing Welsh to resume their attack in the Maidenhead half. A whole

series of beautifully timed offloads by Welsh players finally released Lima Savaiinaea over the line for a try, his 3rd of the season. The Welsh backline has looked absolutely scintillating so far this season  and today was no different as they looked like cutting loose on almost every opportunity; despite the rotation in personnel in Round 3.

Notable mention for 2nd row Tom Douglas in the attacking three-

quarter line; the big Aussie is a real threat in every aspect of the game and including with ball in hand. The try was not converted, Hodgsons only miss of the day. Score 12 – 3, 24 minutes.

After the restart Welsh resumed pressure in the Maidenhead 22, relieved for them again by a penalty against Welsh! In the ensuing attack Maidenhead were awarded a penalty for an illegal head-

shoulder contact, Lima Savaiinaea the offending player being yellow-carded for ten minutes. The first Welsh yellow of the day and down to 14 men.

This pushed Maidenhead up to the Welsh 22 where Welsh had two penalties awarded against them within their own 22. The second lineout following the penalty kick to touch by Maidenhead, was lost to the Welsh who kicked ahead and into touch. In the ensuing lineout

Ed Couzens infringed and was shown the second yellow card of the day hot on the heels of the first, reducing the Welsh team to only 13 players for 8 minutes and menaing welsh had a total of 13 minutes with a player less.. Maidenhead tried very hard to capitalise on this, with a lot of activity within the Welsh five yard line, but the Welsh survived until half time. This was no small achievement when down to 13 men!

The second half restart by Welsh saw Garin Lloyd replace Connor Botha at hooker. Welsh spent the opening few minutes attacking the Maidenhead half of the field despite their lack of numbers.

Lima Savaiinaea returned to the field of play, and soon after some slick passing by the Welsh produced a try in the right corner for Adam Dunne, his 14th in 12 appearances for Wlesh. Matt Hodgson converted with a magnificent curling kick which ended up through the middle of the posts from the touchline. Score 19 – 3, 45 minutes gone.

Maidenhead gained possession from their restart, and it was their turn to besiege the Welsh line, the pressure being relieved by a superb long kick to touch by Matt Hodgson.

Soon after the restart Ed Couzens returned to the field of play to add to the pressure Welsh were now applying in the Maidenhead 22. Welsh back up to a full compliment. A penalty to Welsh gave them the lineout only five yards from the Maidenhead line; collecting the lineout ball Welsh formed a rolling maul and pushed across the try line for Garin Lloyd to score his first for his new club following his move from neighbours London Scottish in the Championship. 26- 3 at 52 minutes and a bonus point secured for Welsh.

55 minutes and the crowd witnessed a disagreement between some of the players in the Welsh deadball area. The referee witnessed foul play from the visitors hooker and he was presented with a straight Red Card. The game was over as a contest at this stage in any event but the card would mean a tough final 20 for Maids.

Soon after the restart Tom Hunt replaced Lima Savaiinaea, given his earlier yellow card. Maidenhead gained possession

from the restart and attacked in the Welsh half. Welsh stole possession through the ever ready and agile Rhydian George and some slick passing amongst the backs moved them upfield into the Maidenhead half; a clinical break from Harri Lang put Garin Lloyd free about twenty five yards from the Maidenhead line and the hooker stepped on the after burners for an

impressive burst of speed to evade the defence and score under the posts for his second of the day. Converted by

Matt Hodgson. Score 33 – 3, 60 minutes gone.

At the restart Chay Bailey was substituted by Sam Johnson. With the game in the bag, there followed a period of fairly even play with both teams playing running rugby, Maidenhead showing improved passing skills compared with early on in the game. Eventually they produced an overlap and scored a try in the right corner through Welsh Exile Iwan Hughes. To their credit Maidenhead stuck to the task. Not converted. Score 33 – 8, 68  minutes.

Welsh gave Maidenhead little chance to capitalise on their success. A succession of rucks in the Maidenhead 22 ended with a try for club captain Adam Nixon when he popped out from behind a ruck

and dove ove from close range. Converted by Matt Hodgson. Score 40 – 8 after 71 minutes.

The last minutes of the game were notable for some excellent running rugby , even by

Maidenhead, and kept the excitement levels very high amongst the 815 crowd.

This was another workman like performance from.welsh who.went about their task well. Although dominant in the game, Welsh let the visitors into the match will poor discipline amd again two yellow cards. The ship on this front will need to be tightened in coming months.

Adam Dunne took himself to 4 from 3 this season in the try count amd Matt Hodgson is up to 33 points for the season averaging just over 10 a game; with an 80% kicking success rate.

There were some good performances but the Penderyn Whiskey Player of the Match went to Captain Matt Hodgson for his overall control of the game. The award chosen by Mike Watson, to mark his 50th year of support for the mighty London Welsh.

Welsh are on the road again next weekend as we visit Old Alleynians in Dulwich for the first ever meeting between the clubs.

A mention For the Druids who in their Surrey Premier league Round 3 match put Worthing II to the sword 72-7!.The Druids top the league with 3 wins in 3, Ewan Gully with 3 tries and player of the match as he continues his journey to full fitness.

Tries: Lima Savaiinaea, Adam Dunne x 2, Garin Lloyd x2, Adam Nixon

Con. Matt Hodgson 5/6

The team: 1 -Chay Bailey, 2 -Connor Botha, 3 – William McKenna, 4 – Tom Douglas, 5 – Ed

Couzens, 6 – Ben Davies, 7 – Rhydian George, 8 - Andy Black, 9 -Adam Nixon, 10 – Matt

Hodgson, 11 – Harri Lang, 12 -Dafydd Manley, 13 – Lima Savaiinaea, 14 -Adam Dunne, 15 -

Osian McAvoy. Substitutes: Sam Johnson, Garin Lloyd, Tom Hunt.