On Saturday 25th January Tunbridge Wells welcomed London Welsh RFC to St Marks for the re-arranged fixture from the snowed off fixture two weeks earlier.

The weather was fantastic, the pitch was firm and the 300 odd spectators were looking forward to a great days rugby. Welsh had been to St Marks on two previous occasions, once in the league and once in the papa Johns cup, on neither visit did they get a win. Would it be a hatrick of losses for the visitors? Well that would have been a surprise as Welsh are presently undefeated in the league and look a certainty to be promoted this year.

TWRFC started with a slightly amended team sheet with Cameron McMillan getting his debut at prop and Jesse de Vries his debut in the row. Greg Threw came in at 10 for the travelling Grieg. Thornton returning from injury, via the 2’s, on the bench. Lastly we had a debut for Ollie Wigman who recently joined from Heathfield and debuted for the 2’s last week. Wells starting with three forwards on the bench suggested they did not want an open and expansive game vs a very well known welsh back line.

The game started with hopes a plenty and a desire from the travelling supporters for those hopes to be dashed. Sadly within the first 5 minutes the impressive Welsh back broke through the back line twice in open play to score tries. The first 15 minutes were a tough watch for home fans as the team struggled to get a grip of the game. But after the two quick tries Wells did get a foothold and started to play their game, whilst in possession, they kept it tight and kicked for territory.

The Welsh set plays have been extremely dominant all year with Scrums being their friend and line outs giving easy ball for the backs to play. The story was different today with the TWRFC scrum looking dominant and the Welsh line out very disrupted. In the first half only one scrum penalty was awarded and that was for the home side. The scrum in particular was a strength for Tunbridge Wells.

As we approached half time Wells were definitely in the game and were growing in confidence. They were having to defend hard and were soaking up a lot of penalties. With 36 minutes on the clock the ref gave them a warning for the number of penalties in the red zone. At the resulting line out the Welsh played for a maul and Stu Nicholls somehow cropped up on their side with his hands deemed to be changed bind. Yellow card for the home side. At the resulting tap and go penalty Welsh went over for a half time score of 0-21

What would the second half bring? Well the impressive Welsh backs were to enjoy a period of open play which suited their game and it has to be said looked very very good. The ball was being distributed with ease and the pace was plentiful. They scored some lovely tries that Wells were struggling to contain. With 20 mins to go the score was 0-47 and the Welsh were dominant. But then something clicked……..

The home side found an extra 20% and started to quicken up their play. Sousa started to move the ball quicker from the breakdown, the forward pods showed added desire to carry through the ever present Doherty, Whale, Wigman, Thornton. As Welsh started to leave the rucks Wells started to look dangerous. The pressure eventually delivered a try for the home side via Crichton as he bounced, spun and fought his way to the try line. Threw slotted to give the home side pride. 7-47.

But they weren’t finished there, they came back for more. The pace of play continued and the desire was clear to see. The result this time came via open play with Smith breaking the line, to release Scully to time his pass beautifully to release Curtis to go over. The ref deemed that was enough and shortly after blew the whistle. The home side will say it was early to prevent a TWRFC comeback! Full time 12-47.

A defeat to the undefeated league leaders is nothing to be ashamed of. The home side showed pride, spirit and desire, qualities that a coach can’t gift them, they have to want it and give it to themselves collectively. They did our club proud on Saturday. Now take that form into the next few home games that really matter to our league season.

This Saturday TWRFC host Maidenhead RFC at St Marks. If they take this form into that game they should have a good game.