A second-half onslaught saw London Welsh go down to a 31-27 defeat at Pertemps Bees on Saturday, but they showed great tenacity in the closing stages to secure a bonus point, writes Vicky Cheavers.

Welsh made a strong start with Tom Marks' penalty opening the scoring after seven minutes.

Bees barely took play into the Welsh half during the opening stages and Kevin Burke extended the visitors' lead in the 24th minute after being driven over from a catch-and-drive at a line-out. Marks converted.

Welsh continued to dominate and James Wellwood scored their second try in the 31st minute after slick handling at pace enabled him to cut through to score. Marks converted again.

But, crucially, Dave Knight grabbed a try for Bees before half-time, with Jon Higgins' conversion reducing their deficit to 17-7.The The home side then had a golden spell at the start of the second half with tries from Matt Miles and Reece Spee, both converted by Higgins, sending them 24-17 ahead.

Although Marks clawed back some of the deficit with a penalty, Welsh lost Allen Chilten to the sin bin and they looked set to return home empty handed when Tom Rawlings' 77th-minute try for the hosts was converted by Higgins.

But Welsh salvaged some consolation when James Storey spotted a gap and Neil Taylor touched down. Fly-half Owen Williams added the extras.

London Welsh: Dylan Pugh (James Greenwood, 78), James Wellwood, Neil Taylor, James Storey, Alex Cadwallader, Tom Marks (Owen Williams, 72), Allen Chilten (Sin bin 71-81; Martin Anayi, 81), Dorian Williams, James Campbell (Chris Ritchie, 61), Lorne Ward, Howard Quigley , Kevin Burke, George Robson (Richard Griffith, 65), Simon Etheredge (Warren Fury, 72), Paul Cox. Unused replacements: Johnny Marsters.