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Aberavon v London Welsh MatchPack : Report
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A Match of three 25-minute periods saw Aberavon concede seven tries to a fit and strong London Welsh side, who were playing their first game as a fully professional team.
Though both clubs were without at least 10 senior players, Aberavon came off worst with the Exiles threatening to run riot as they led 41-7 after 48 of the 75 minutes.
Only last-ditch tackles and the bounce of the ball kept London Welsh out, but Aberavon scored right at the end of the second spell.
And even though they went 48-12 down after 58 minutes, London Welsh director of rugby Martin Jones said: "I thought Aberavon took the final session."
Former Aberavon and Wales scrum-half Ray Giles was in charge of the Wizards with coaches Simon King and Nicky Lloyd away, and picked out new No. 8 Rory Gallagher as the best of the Wizards.
Within six minutes, the Welsh scored through wing Joe Ajukja and a conversion and penalty took them to 10-0. But wing Chris Lewis intercepted to score and James Garland converted.
A loose kick enabled London Welsh captain Paul Mackey to release former Wales Under-19 centre Aaron Hopkins to race clear and just at the end of the opening period Ajujka ran in from halfway for a 22-7 scoreline.
It soon got worse as Mark Odejobi, who played for England in the Under-20 World Cup final at Swansea, scored, followed by Alix Walker and Darren Ball before the lively Paul Bamsey sent Lewis in for his second try.
Richard Morris came on for the final period to drive the home pack on and prop Anthony Edwards gained a good try, but it was the Exiles who took the honours.
Jones added: "I am a West Walian and we will do our best to promote Welsh rugby."
They will return in two weeks to take on Swansea at Swansea University.
Howard Evans
| Report from the |
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Starting XV: Paul Bamsey; Chris Lewis, Richard Thomas, John Leyshon, Steve Davies; James Garland, Gavin Hooper; Neil White, Chris Wells, Anthony Edwards, Ian Moore (capt), Andrew Fisher, James Davies, Rory Gallagher, Darryl Thomas.
Referee: James Jones
Match Type: 3 periods of 25 mins.
1st Period
02 min: T & C - London Welsh (0 - 7)
05 min: PG - London Welsh (0 - 10)
09 min: T - Chris Lewis & C - James Garland (7 - 10)
17 min: T - London Welsh (7 - 15)
26 min: T & C - London Welsh (7 - 22)
2nd Period
06 min: T - London Welsh (7 - 27)
17 min: T & C - London Welsh (7 - 34)
20 min: T & C - London Welsh (7 - 41)
25 min: T - Chris Lewis (12 - 41)
3rd Period
08 min: T & C - London Welsh (12 - 48)
17 min: T - Anthony Edwards (17 - 48)
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