Doncaster 51 London Welsh 3

5:23pm Wednesday 14th February 2007

Early indications that London Welsh would have another close encounter with Doncaster Knights proved to be wrong as they crashed 51-3 in the EDF Energy National Trophy fifth round at Castle Park on Saturday, writes Vicky Cheevers.

Dylan Pugh, making his first start in the first team since September, was sinbinned in the 13th minute for an accidental high tackle, and Ben Gollings kicked the resulting penalty to add another three points to his earlier drop goal. Spencer Davey scored the first Knights' try in the 21st minute and the home side added a penalty try, which Gollings converted.

London Welsh's scoresheet was opened in the 31st minute via a long range penalty kick from full-back Sam Ulph. But in first-half extra-time James Campbell was sinbinned and it didn't take long for Gollings to jink through to the line to score. He converted himself to make it 25-3.

Welsh pressed hard for the first 25 minutes of the second-half without scoring. Doncaster took full advantage with tries from replacement centre John Cannon, Dan Storey (two) and Netami Talei, three of which were converted by Gollings.

London Welsh: Ulph, Sampson, Taylor, Hayward, Arasa, Pugh, Fury; Marsters, Campbell, Durant, Ayling, Collier, Cox, Etheredge, Griffith, capt. Replacements: Williams, McNamee, Burke, Anayi, Shaw, Cholewa, Hopkins.