Another action packed Regional 1 game at the Lane as Havant entertained London Welsh, two inform teams. A true classic in the Hav versus the Welsh Exiles.
A bumper crowd, when isn't it these days as the normal crowd was swelled by the Ladies lunch.
Will Knight said "these are the games we want at the Lane" it was not a game for the faint hearted as Havant trailed for most of the game as the Welsh backline's pace caused problems all afternoon.
Havant's team saw the return of Joel knight at center and there was a debut for prop Ash Chirima. Will Brock partnered Ross Parkins in the 2nd row after Harrison Young failed a fitness test Thursday.
The game was only a couple of minutes old when the Exiles took the lead from a penalty at the breakdown. They certainly came out of the gates quickly.
Havant were level on 10 minutes when two penalties in as many minutes had Jacob Knight in range, the cat and mouse game was tied at 3-3. Back came The Exiles and after some pressure scored the opening try after and effective maul. More pressure and they extended their lead further with another try, it was going to be a long day for Havant at this rate. The Welsh led 3-15.
When on thirty minutes, Tam Lindsay popped up with the ball, the rolling maul as effective as ever gave Havant their first try. It was game on!
Total dominance followed as Havant piled on the pressure looking for another try, first the Welsh center was carded for a high tackle clearly a red from the reaction of the crowd. Moments later another followed into the sin bin as the Exiles tried to stem the tide of Havant attacks. Then with the pressure really on a penalty try was awarded for Havant with another yellow for the Welsh! The game was again level approaching the half-time whistle.
The restart for Havant was a nightmare and 12-man Welsh scored again after cries from the crowd of a forward pass.

Half-time Havant 15 London Welsh 22

Welsh extended their lead further with the 2nd half only minutes old the fly-half making no mistake with the penalty. The match ebbed and flowed but some brilliance from the returning Joel Knight saw him break through the red line near the posts, his brother Jacob adding the extras and Havant were within three.
The game continued at a pace, befitting a higher league, as both teams tried to add to their score, but both defenses were up to the task.
The game was tied again when the Welsh stood up in a scrum and Jacob Knight was again accurate with the boot. 25-25 with time running out.
Probably a just draw for the efforts of both sides. But wait!...
Welsh had another play and a penalty soon followed, surely the flyhalf would score and the celebrations of the travelling Welsh would be too much for the faithful.
The kick dropped short and was run out of the 22 by Wayne Dugan, superbly before being tackled illegally. The resulting penalty was kicked to touch, the catch and drive was stopped another penalty kicked to just outside the Welsh 22. The catch and drive was on again. From just outside the 22 the rolling maul went on its merry way cheered on by the faithful and as they got nearer and nearer to the line the volume of the crowd went up. There was going to be only one outcome a try! Sean Shepherd duly obliged his 15th of an incredible season. There was handbags over the try line, as the Lane erupted. Jacob Knight kicked the conversion, and the whistle blew for fulltime.

Full-time Havant 32 London Welsh 25

Two inform sides playing out an enthralling game watched by a big crowd, whatever was said at half-time worked, the Welsh scored just three points in the 2nd half that was dominated by the home side points wise, they just do not give up!
Also, on a sad note, Rams Morgan an AXV player sustained a nasty injury whilst playing against Aldershot, the club and the faithful wish him a speedy recovery.

Head-coach Will Knight's had this to say after the game.
"What a game that was! London Welsh are a really good side, probably the best we have face this season on that form.
We were not really at game pace in the first half and looked a bit flat. However, this lot don’t panic and there is a belief that we can find a way to get the win and they did that magnificently.
The management of the game in the second half was much better and they didn’t score after first minute of the second half period. We were not at our clinical best but what we did after they missed the kick at goal was excellent. Really clarity and accuracy, a brilliant driven maul and the bonus point score.
We will need to improve again, and no game is going to be easy but that felt like an important win."