Two tries from wing Elis Wyn-Benham were not enough as London Welsh snatched the victory over the Cardiff Blues Premiership Select (CBPS) at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was a very close entertaining encounter with CBPS eager to avenge a late defeat in London last year. But the Exiles were not to be denied and once again the boot Olly Barkley proved the difference.
It was a harsh outcome for a young CBPS side who had impressed with their open play and eagerness to throw the ball around.
However, it was London Welsh who proved to have the edge with a quartet of tries and five successful kicks from
Olly Barkley, including a penalty kick in the closing minutes that claimed the win to leave CBPS third in pool four of the British and Irish Cup.
After 20 minutes of play it was the visitors who claimed the first points as centre Guy Armitage crossed the try line. Olly Barkley conversion made it 0-7.
The home side quickly hit back as wing Elis Wyn-Benham showed quick feet and a turn of pace and went in under the posts after a number of phases from the restart. Gareth Davies conversion levelled the scores.
Both sides looked to play an open style of rugby, testing each other’s defences but a penalty against London Welsh at the break down gave Gareth Davies the chance for the home side to take the lead for the first time. Davies kick was successful and CBPS took a three point lead after 30 minutes of play.
A yellow card to CBPS Rhys Shellard for foul play on their home side try line, gave Olly Barkley the chance to equal the scores once more. CBPS 10-10 London Welsh
Before the half time whistle the home side furthered the lead after London Welsh were penalised again at the break down. CBPS went into half time leading by three, 13- 10.
In the second half the game continued where the first half had left off. CBPS were the first to get points on the board with Gareth Davies scoring a penalty after London Welsh foul play.
It was not long before the Exiles came back into the game as centre James Lewis crossed over in the corner. London Welsh outside half Barkley kicked the points to give the visitors the lead, 16-17.
Shortly after CBPS were penalised for not releasing near the homes sides’ try line. Olly Barkley kicked for touch. Darren Waters gathered the ball from the line out and scored in the corner. Barkley kicked wide of the posts, 16-22.
From the kick off CBPS Lewis Jones charged down a kick from his opposite number and followed through to score an opportunist try. Jarrod Evans got the extra, 23-22.
CBPS continued to apply the pressure and following a neat Scott Andrews chip through. The ball was won at the breakdown by the chasing attackers to secure the ball for the home team on the visitors try line. A great cross chip kick by Evans saw winger Wyn-Benham secure his second try of the game. Evans converted to return the lead to CBPS, 30-22.
Not long after London Welsh replied with a close range try by number 8, Kieron Murphy. Barkley scored the conversion, to be in within a point of levelling the scores, 30-29.
The final play of the game saw history repeat itself as the referee awarded the visiting team with a penalty after a deliberate knock on. Barkley kicked the penalty giving the visitors a two point lead and the final whistle was blown.
Timeline:
20m Armitage t Barkley c 0-7
24m Wyn-Benham t Davies c 7-7
31m Davies p 10-7
36m Barkley p 10-10
40m Davies p 13-10
42m Davies p 16-10
45m Lewis t Barkley c 16-17
56m Waters t 16-22
58m Jones t Evans c 23-22
71m Wyn-Benham t Evans c 30-22
74m Murphy t Barkley c 30-29
80m Barkley p 30-32
Cardiff Blues Premiership Select: 15 Aled Summerhill, 14 Richard Smith (L Jones 50), 13 Harri Millard, 12 Gavin Dacey, 11 Elis Wyn-Benham, 10 Gareth Davies (J Evans 56), 9 Tomos Williams; 1 Bradley Thyer, 2 Scott Andrews, 3 Craig Mitchell (A James 50), 4 Miles Normandale, 5 Chris Dicomidis (S Lewis-Hughes 22), 6 Jevon Groves, 7 Rhys Shellard (M Sienawski 67/ R Shellard 70), 8 James Sheekey (M Sienawski 71)
Replacements: 16 Ashleigh James, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Morgan Sienawski, 19 Shane Lewis-Hughes, 20 Lewis Jones, 21 Jarrod Evans, 22 Callum Hall