Wasps 38 (tries Hughes 2, Davies, Thompson, Myall; cons Jackson 4, Lozowski; pen Lozowski)
London Welsh 24 (tries Scott, pen, Elder; cons Barkley 2, Roberts; pen Barkley)

LONDON Welsh were undone by four Wasps tries in the final half hour as they went down to their Aviva Premiership rivals in a friendly at Adams Park.

After more than holding their own in the first half – wing Nick Scott’s 19th minute try cancelling out scrum half Charlie Davies’ early touchdown for Wasps – the Exiles regained the lead for a second time, thanks to a 50th minute penalty try.

But the home side bossed proceedings after that, racking up four tries – Nathan Hughes (2), Guy Thompson and Kearnan Myall all crossing.

The last word, however, went to Welsh as Chris Elder finished off a fine move.

There was little held back in a physical contest that was a far sterner test of the Exiles’ Premiership credentials than the previous week’s ten-try demolition of Henley Hawks.

Wasps took the lead after turning over a scrum, Davies picking up and forcing his way over.

Fly half Alex Lozowski – last seen lining up against Welsh for Leeds Carnegie in the Championship semi-finals – converted.

Welsh hit back when Scot found a gap to touch down after some great pressure and former England fly half Olly Barkley converted on his Exiles debut.

Flanker Richard Thorpe nearly forced his way over for Welsh after collecting at the tail of a line-out before Barkley slotted a penalty.

A rare error, however, as lock Matt Corker couldn’t quite reel in Koree Britton’s line-out, led to Lozowski levelling the scores at 10-10.

The home side might have led, but for a flying tackle from Tom May to deny Tom Varndell, as the winger eyed the corner after slipping the tackle of Seb Stegmann.

A scrappy start to the second half was punctured by an encouraging scrum penalty for Welsh, who had overturned Wasps’ early advantage in this area.

Welsh took the lead again when Wasps illegally halted their driving maul.

Referee Dean Richards awarded a penalty try, which Barkley converted.

This spurred Wasps onto a powerful end to the match.

Thompson forced his way over from a line-out, Ruaridh Jackson’s converting.

Hughes barged through just five minutes later, with Jackson again adding the extras.

Although the Exiles defended resolutely, the way to the try line then suddenly opened for Hughes to run in his second, Jackson converting.

Welsh’s Tristan Roberts and Nic Reynolds combined for the latter to threaten, but Wasps then went the length of the pitch with Myall adding try No 5.

The visitors ended on a positive note when Rhys Crane came in off his right wing to provide Elder with an easy run-in. Roberts converted.

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