The Championship
Welsh give Bedford the Blues
ESPNscrum Staff
February 5, 2011

London Welsh climbed to third in the Championship standings with a dramatic 25-22 victory over Bedford at Old Deer Park on Saturday afternoon.

In an absorbing encounter, both sides notched twice in the first half, with Errie Claassens and Michael Hills touching down for the hosts and the Blues replying through Dan Richmond before then forcing a penalty try. However, it was Welsh who led at the interval, thanks to Gordon Ross' penalty.

The Blues edged ahead when Myles Dorrian dotted early in the second period only to see Welsh reclaim the lead courtesy of Paul Sampson's touchdown. Bedford came storming back and James Pritchard had the chance to nudge his side back into the lead but he failed to convert Edd Thrower's try, leaving the two sides locked together at 22 points apiece.

However, with just over 60 seconds to go, Welsh earned themselves a penalty and Ross nailed it to nick it for the home side, who have edged ahead of the Cornish Pirates on points difference. That's because the Pirates slumped to a surprise 13-12 defeat away to tenth-placed Esher.

Elsewhere, in an another exciting encounter, Rotherham Titans edged out Doncaster 35-34 in hard-fought South Yorkshire derby at Clifton Lane. Pete Swatkins and Joe Bedford both crossed for the Titans but it was Juan Pablo Socino who was the star of the show, the Argentine contributing 25 points with the boot.

The only other game on Saturday, between Plymouth Albion and Moseley, did not contain quite so much excitement, with the two sides managing just six points apiece during a turgid game at Brickfields. Mark Lee landed two penalties for Albion, with Ollie Thomas doing likewise for Moseley.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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