LONDON Welsh were on the end of another heavy defeat on Saturday, but did at least get off the mark for the season by scoring four tries when well-beaten by Bath.

There were also enough encouraging signs to suggest that it is too early to be dismissing the club’s hopes of avoiding a swift return to the Championship.

Exiles broke their duck when Lachlan McCaffrey accepted a Bath lineout on the hour and powered over for the all-important fourth try.

But just as in the 52-0 opening-round defeat against Exeter, the negatives were plain to see, more missed tackles and a misfiring set-piece contributed greatly to Welsh’s demise.

With fly half George Ford adding 18 points from the boot, Bath topped the half-century.

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Needing an error free, miserly start, Welsh found themselves behind after less than two minutes to a try from former player Chris Cook.

But Welsh hit back when Pete Browne went over for their first Premiership try of the season after good work by Seb Jewell and McCaffrey However, Semesa Rokoduguni and Jonathan Joseph replied as Bath soon reasserted control.

Seb Stegmann’s late touchdown in the first half kept the visitors just about in touch at the break, trailing 27-14.

And the start of the second period would see Welsh almost trade blow for blow with their opponents.

Lerdy Houston’s try was cancelled out by Seb Jewell – arguably the try of the game Started by Tom May from turnover ball and finished by Jewell, with supporting cast roles for the weaving Stegmann and McCaffrey.

It was a try which will warm the hearts of all London Welsh supporters, as the Exiles went from one tryline to the other.

Welsh can score tries in this league, but now just need to close up the gates at the other end.

This was apparent when Rokoduguni intercepted McCaffrey’s pass and raced clear for his second try.

But McCaffrey redeemed himself by claiming Welsh’s crucial fourth try to ensure the Exiled would not leave The Rec empty-handed.

With 20 minutes still remaining, another Welsh try might have had locals twitching.

The Exiles produced arguably their most controlled period of the game as they kept the ball, went through the phases and marched up field.

Unfortunately, it brought no points and Bath took the opportunity to finally put the game to bed – Rokoduguni making the initial break and fly halfFord sending Joseph over for his second.

There was still time for Carl Fearns to add try No 7 as the home side finished strongly,crashing over under the posts from Ford’s quick tap penalty.

It was another heavy defeat for Welsh and means they have conceded more than 100 points in just two matches.

But undoubtedly the most pleasing aspect that head coach Justin Burnell and his team will glean from Saturday will be their attacking threat, especially in the light of their Exeter demise.

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