Exiles finally earn first five-pointer of campaign

LONDON Welsh got their first bonus-point home league win of the season as winter welcomed itself at a cold Old Deer Park.

After two narrow defeats, the Exiles ended Nottingham’s five-game unbeaten streak thanks to tries from Joe Carlisle, Nathan Morris, Nick Reynolds and Chris Elder.

However, it was mixed feelings for head coach James Buckland after a last-minute Nottingham try saw them leave with two losing bonus points.

Buckland said: “We’re pleased to get five points but disappointed to give away two cheap points at the end. They have a habit of clawing results back and it’s annoying.

“We moved the ball well but at times could have been more direct. On the back of two losses the boys played positive stuff and that’s testament to their character.”

Just three minutes in, Carlisle found a gap in the line from a lineout to score by the posts. The Exiles had clear set-piece advantage early on and used it well after kicking to the corner ten minutes later. Welsh lock Barney Maddison utilised the advantage with a catch and drive that resulted in hooker Morris dotting down.

The Exiles missed a try third a few minutes later when No.8 Kieran Murphy found a gap but the recycled ball saw Carlisle’s cross-field kick go out of play.

Nottingham started to get some territory after 20 minutes, but from a defensive scrum on his own 5m line, Murphy picked up from the base to eleviate pressure and started a length of the field counter attack, with only a poor final pass from full-back Martyn Thomas thwarting winger Kristian Phillips.

After the restart, a neat offload from prop Nathan Trevett put Reynolds through, cascading past two players in green to score under the posts.

Nottingham lock Tom Holmes fumbled a catchdrive after half-time before Elder grabbed the bonus point try after neat build up play.

Within minutes, Nottingham grabbed one back through wing David Williams’ solo effort.

Despite going down to 14 men following the yellow card to fly-half Mitch Lam on the 69th minute for a spear-tackle, Nottingham scored two late tries through Ben Brownlie and Murray McConnell.

Nottingham coach Ian Costello said: “I’m incredibly disappointed with the first half, our energy and urgency wasn’t there and that left us a big lead to climb.”