Bomber Harris delivers London Welsh knock-out blow

MARK HARRIS landed a last-minute conversion to sink his former club and steal the points for London Welsh at Bedford on Saturday.

Welsh were still trailing by a point at Goldington Road after Aled Thomas forced his way over in the corner with the seconds ticking down.

But former Bedford full-back Harris, who helped the Blues to a Powergen Challenge Shield win at Twickenham in 2005, held his nerve to convert from the touchline and secure a 33-32 win.

There was even time for another twist in the tale, but James Pritchard's penalty fell short and wide for Bedford with virtually the last kick of a pulsating game.

Having won their first game under new coach Danny Wilson by mauling Sedgley Park 60-0 last week, Welsh knew Bedford would be a tougher test.

And they found themselves 10 points down in the first seven minutes before starting to take control of the game.

Harris got them off the mark with a penalty before a move which saw the play spread the width of the pitch ended with Thomas' beautifullydelayed pass putting in Paul Mackey for a try, converted by Harris.

Bedford went back in front with a Pritchard penalty, but Welsh went into the break in the lead thanks to a penalty try, which Harris again converted.

Harris added to his ever-growing with a try two minutes into the second-half after Peter Murchie's break had created an overlap.

And Welsh's lead was extended to 13 points when Thomas found on-loan Leicester Academy star William Lawson to cross under the posts, with Harris adding the extras.

However, Bedford responded to Welsh's try blitz with one of their own, crossing the line three times in nine minutes to swing the game their way and take a six-point lead.

Welsh piled on the pressure in response but looked like they would be frustrated in their efforts when a Bedford prop left the fray, ensuring uncontested scrums.

But with scrum-half Allen Chilten releasing his backs, Welsh had a cutting edge out wide all afternoon, and so it proved again when Thomas forced his way over for the try which paved the way for Harris' winning kick.