Scott score wins it for London Welsh

Editor

A late Nick Scott try handed London Welsh a priceless win in their fight for survival as they beat Bath 16-9 at Kassam Stadium on Sunday.

A late Nick Scott try handed London Welsh a priceless victory in their fight for Premiership survival as they beat Bath 16-9 at the Kassam Stadium.

Although the visitors had the best of the chances in the first period, it was Welsh who proved more adept at taking their opportunities as two Gavin Henson penalties put them into a 6-3 lead.

Stephen Donald slotted one of his own before the break and added two more in the second-half to move the West Country side ahead. However, Gordon Ross equalised before Scott went over to take the Exiles eight points clear of Sale Sharks.

It was the hosts that controlled the early spells of play, but their fly-half failed to convert a penalty opportunity. The former Wales international made up for that miss after 10 minutes as the Oxford-based outfit took a 3-0 lead.

Bath then threatened to cross the whitewash with several phases near the opposition line but the Exiles' defence held firm. And they were rewarded for their resilience when Henson gave them a six-point cushion with a second three-pointer. However, the visitors continued to press and Donald's kick reduced the gap.

London Welsh have so far adapted well to Aviva Premiership rugby and the first-half exemplified that, but they were up against a powerful side in Gary Gold's men from Bath.

They continued to hold their own, but it was no surprise to see the Kiwi fly-half level the match with 50 minutes gone. And Donald put Bath into the lead for the first time after the hosts infringed at a line-out. But that only served to spur the Exiles on, though, and Ross made the score 9-9 with a penalty before Scott's interception stole the win at the death.

The scorers:

For London Welsh:
Try: Scott
Con: Ross
Pen: Henson 2, Ross

For Bath:
Pen: Donald 3

London Welsh: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Nick Scott, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Seb Jewell, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Gavin Henson, 9 Nick Runciman, 8 Lee Beach, 7 Michael Hills, 6 Jonathan Mills (c), 5 Matt Corker, 4 Martin Purdy, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Tom Bristow.
Replacements: 16 Dan George, 17 Bill Moss, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Adam Brown, 20 Mike Denbee, 21 Tyson Keats, 22 Gordon Ross, 23 James Lewis.

Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Kyle Eastmond, 13 Matt Banahan, 12 Ben Williams, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Will Skuse, 6 Stuart Hooper (c), 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Dominic Day, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Brett Sharman, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Will Spencer, 20 Guy Mercer, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Sam Vesty, 23 Horacio Agulla.

Referee: Andrew Small