Strong 2nd half too much for Welsh Exiles

Another big clash in Regional 1 as Havant traveled to Old Deer Park home of London Welsh for a top of the table clash. The entertainment was grand not only on the pitch but also the lunch where the guests listened to the London Choir (Cor Llundain).
There were several late changes to the line-up with Sam Vince and Robbie Hume dropping out, they were replaced by Will Owen making his first start for nearly two years and Chris Buckett. There was also a league debut for academy product Jamie Drew from the bench.
The match again wasn't for the faint hearted, in front of well over 400 spectators.
The Welsh Exiles were on the front foot from the whistle, and they found themselves in front 10-0 with a converted try and a penalty.
Havant sparked into life minutes later with the first visit into the Welsh 22, Sean Shepherd with try number 6 for the season, as he burrowed his way to the try line.
Havant however seemed to fall off their usual high standards and for the next twenty minutes struggled with the pace of the Welsh backline, shipping two tries, one of which was converted giving the home side a comfortable 22-7 lead.
Finally, after some sustained pressure from the blue and white hoops as the first half came to a close saw them pull back some points. Several shall we say indiscretions from the Welsh pack and a yellow for the fly-half gave Ben Holt his usual sniping try to the right of the posts, Jacob Knight's boot again accurate for the after's bringing the first half to a close.

Half-time London Welsh 22 Havant 14

Havant came out a different team and had the Welsh under the Cosh from the opening minutes, but it took a full ten minutes before Havant saw any points, again Jacob Knight good with the boot from another Welsh breakdown.
The next twenty minutes saw Havant stifle the Welsh attack but also found it hard to breakdown a stubborn well-organized Welsh defence. The game was at a stalemate, until another excellent move from the away side. The ball was whipped along the backline with Rory Penfold finishing the move in the corner. Jacob Knight's conversion from right out on the touchline was superb. The game was on a knife edge with ten minutes to go but Havant led by two.
When Jacob Knight kicked another penalty giving Havant a five-point lead with only minutes left the Faithful drew a collective sigh of relief. But …
With the storm clouds gathering behind the big stand there was one more onslaught from the Welsh cheered on by their vocal supporters, but the Havant “dog” was imperious with Harrison Young coming up big when the pressure was on winning a penalty at the breakdown.

Full-time London Welsh 22 Havant 27

Head Coach Will Knight's thoughts after the game
"What a game! Welsh came at us hard in the opening twenty minutes and we were guilty of some uncharacteristic defensive errors and being a little slow coming out of the blocks. However, the measure of this group is that they don't panic, and they find a way to win. I thought that our game management in the second half was magnificent. To nil a team like Welsh at home is brilliant. We have so much growth still to come from this group which is exciting for everyone involved."

FOOTNOTE: After the game I did ask the choir master if they would sing upthehill in Welsh, but he declined the invitation! After he listened to me sing it at the bar.