Welwyn 1st XV vs Imperial Medicals Match report

A LAST-GASP converted try salvaged Welwyn a point from Saturday's trip to Teddington.

Welwyn were losing their latest London Three North West match away to Imperial Medicals 17-10 with just seconds to go. Faced with possible defeat, Welwyn ran the ball from a defensive position near their own line.

Fly-half Luke Williams made the break, taking play up to halfway, before handing over to Kyle Birkin.

The powerful centre went on to score under the posts and Gareth Hughes converted the try before the referee blew the final whistle to end the game at 17-17.

Despite unexpectedly losing two of their opening fixtures, Medicals are still one of the strongest sides in the division and it was important for Welwyn to raise their game after lacklustre performances against Tring and Barnet.

Coach Peter Engledow was able to select arguably his strongest side and he continued with the experiment of playing Williams at fly-half.

With a slight slope and breeze in their favour, Welwyn were soon on the attack. Hooker Simon Banks won a Medicals put-in at a scrum close to the line.

Scrum-half Mark Cullen used the unexpected possession wisely, moving the ball quickly to midfield where full back Hughes came into the line as an extra man to score a try near the posts. He then kicked the conversion.

Welwyn were now in control. A solid scrum was anchored by props Neil Smith and Grant Keeler and captain Austen Cox dominated in the line-out.

The back row of Nick Jones, Andrew Laycock and Dave Orton were powerful at ruck and maul.

Medicals defended effectively, and bravely, with two of their players having to leave the field injured. Hughes did kick a penalty from 30 metres, but a lead of 10 points was scant rewarded for Welwyn's early dominance.

Slowly but surely Medicals worked their way back into the game and flanker Reed picked up from a scrum 10 metres out and scored under the posts.

The extras cut Welwyn's lead to just 10-7 at half-time.

Excellent touch kicking by Jon Childs pinned Medicals inside their own half in the second half, but this advantage was soon lost. Medicals responded with two tries to take the lead, although crucially neither was converted.

Welwyn, however, equalised right at the death to claim a draw.