London Welsh's fine second-half display could not prevent them losing 47-32 to Nottingham in the National League Division One at Old Deer Park on Saturday, but they hope to make amends this Saturday against Sedgley Park, writes Vicky Cheevers. At least Welsh collected a bonus point after a poor start in which a penalty by Sam Ulph was their only reply to tries by Ryan Hopkins, Peter Cook and Will Logan, with Tom Barlow converting two of them.

Only a fantastic dump tackle from Welsh's man of the match Gerald Arasa stopped Rohaan Nirmalendran going over after he had weaved his way past four Welsh players.

Nottingham persistently infringed at mauls, resulting in flanker Tim Stannard being sinbinned, and Welsh took advantage when Chris Ritchie scored in the left corner.

Barlow then kicked a penalty for offside and a converted try made the interval score 29-11.

The consistent Barlow landed a drop goal before Welsh rallied strongly, with Tom Marks going through to score a try which Ulph converted. But backchatting the referee cost Welsh dear as Nottingham drove Neil Corin over the line from the resulting penalty. Barlow converted.

Nottingham were again down to 14 men as Cook was sinbinned for technical reasons, and Welsh replied when Ulph went over and converted his own try.

James Strong then ran half the length of the pitch to score Welsh's first bonus point try of the season. This was again converted by Ulph, but Barlow had the last word with a try in the left corner.

London Welsh: Ulph, Strong, Cadwallader, Storey, Arasa (Hayward, 83mins), Marks, Shaw, Williams, Ritchie (Kwasnicki, 68mins), Hannon (Marsters, 68mins), Quigley, Daish (Slade,54mins), McNamee, Anayi (Beard, 54mins), Griffith. Replacements unused: Walbyoff, Meenan.