RUGBY UNION: Welsh had enough possession to win it

RUGBY UNION: Welsh had enough possession to win it

9:00am Monday 23rd December 2013 in Sport

By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

Alan Awcock goes over London Welsh’s try

GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP

LONDON Welsh’s 13-5 home defeat to London Scottish left head coach Justin Burnell “bitterly disappointed”.

Burnell admitted his side had the opportunities to win the game, but were not able to breach a stubborn Scottish defence until Alan Awcock’s last-minute try.

“We certainly had enough possession,” said Burnell.

“Again at crucial moments, we just don’t turn our pressure into points.

“We were held up twice, went to the TV twice and then there was a crucial moment just after half-time.

“We had a scrum down in their zone, but had a crooked feed.

“Then at 6-0, we were back in the ascendancy. We had them on the back foot, but threw a wild pass and they went up the field to score.

“I am bitterly disappointed.”

Burnell’s side never really clicked, especially in the second half where Scottish grew in confidence.

He said: “When you think about the amount of possession we had.

“We just didn’t use it to the best of our ability.”

“Their defence was not what won them the game, it was our mistakes I felt.

“They defended wholeheartedly, they disrupted the breakdown in the way they thought was right and that’s life really. You can’t do much about it.

“It is very easy to look at the mistakes, but we just didn’t capitalise on our opportunities.”

This was only the second time this season that Welsh had played in front of the Sky cameras, which meant referee Ian Tempest could refer incidents to the television match official (TMO).

Asked if on another day, without the TV replays, Welsh might have had two first-half tries, Burnell replied: “I guess that’s one way to look at it.

“It is quite funny when referees use the TMO and when not.

“There was another time in the second half when he didn’t refer it, which was strange.”

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Article source: http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/rugby-greig-laidlaw-out-to-improve-edinburgh-1-3027749

RUGBY UNION: Welsh had enough possession to win it