Old Deer Park doesn't have floodlights and maybe those is glass houses (or so near to the ones in Kew Gardens) shouldn't throw stones but the light from the four pylons at Butts Park Arena did little to cut through the gloomy evening. The gloom wasn't just restricted to the weather as Coventry supporters were naturally concerned by their team's record in the league (3 wins out of 9 before this fixture) and London Welsh's fine performance against Cornish Pirates had been followed by a scrappy win at Moseley and defeat to Doncaster.

The first try of the game came form a Coventry error. An overthrow at the line-out was gathered by Welsh and when Paul Mackey found a gap in the home side's defence he had an easy run in to score. Aled Thomas' conversion gave the visitors a seven point lead and Welsh supporters a glimmer of hope that further tries would follow.

Coventry had a chance to score themselves but a promising move was called back when the referee spotted crossing. A few minutes later a penalty kick at goal fell just short.

Nick Runciman's break took Welsh closer to the Coventry try line but his pass to Dan George was adjudged to be forward and denied the hooker a possible try. The visitors were awarded a penalty when a Coventry player failed to roll away and Thomas took the three points to give Welsh a 10-0 lead.

On 35 minutes Welsh extended their lead with a further penalty and it remained 0-13 at half time. London Welsh had made the better use of their chances in the first half against a Coventry side that could at best be described as lacklustre.

Coventry opened the second half scoring when Welsh were penalised in the ruck but the 13 point lead was soon re-established. A quick line-out by London Welsh forced the Coventry defence to concede a penalty and Thomas' kick gave Welsh a 16-3 lead.

In an attempt to rescue the game Coventry made a series of replacements and it appeared to have the desired effect. With Nathan Bonner-Evans sin-binned Coventry applied the pressure and James Hall went over in the corner to score. Joe Carlisle was successful with the tricky conversion and the deficit was reduced to 6 points.

Both sides conceded numerous penalties during the following minutes but it was London Welsh that were to first to be awarded one within kicking distance of the posts. Thomas took his tally up to 12 points for the night and extended his side's lead.

Coventry could have secured a losing bonus point in the closing minutes but a penalty kick bounced off of the posts into the arms of Dan George. Final Score - Coventry 10 London Welsh 19.

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