Leeds Carnegie overcame a potential banana skin by blowing away London Welsh at Old Deer Park 38-0.
For the second game running, Carnegie have not conceded a single point and that alone will please the coaching duo of Neil Back and Andy Key but especially defensive coach Simon Middleton.
Neil Back made no fewer than ten changes to his starting line up for this important clash at Old Deer Park. Welsh, were unable to include former Leeds man Tom Rock in their squad after an emergency appendix operation in midweek, have started the season well having turned full time this season and would have fancied their chances of ending the Carnegie's unbeaten start to the season.
Leeds Carnegie made an impressive start to their game at London Welsh, racing out to a 17-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes.
The visitors opened the scoring after just three minutes when Alberto Di Bernardo kicked a penalty. The Argentinean fly half had the chance to extend the lead but missed twice with two drop goal attempts in a minute.
Leeds did manage to get the first try of the game however when full back Leigh Hinton marked his return to the starting line up with a try after sixteen minutes. He made the extra man out wide after quick hands saw the ball cross the field at pace with Jonny Hepworth putting in the last pass unselfishly when he could have scored himself. Di Bernardo added the conversion to make it 10-0.
Di Bernardo could have extended the lead but his penalty attempt struck the upright and bounced away however, it was not long before the visitors had increased their advantage.
It was a familiar name on the scoresheet when Hendre Fourie crossed for his seventh try of the season after 24 minutes. The Carnegie forwards had shown real patience after a number of drives for the line and eventually the press told as Fourie crashed over. Di Bernardo once again added the conversion to make it 17-0. However, Carnegie were left frustrated by their inability to make the most of a strong wind at their backs in the first half.
Just four minutes into the second half, Leeds made light of the challenging conditions to score their third try. This time is was Scott Barrow, another of the returning players this week, who crossed for his second try of the season. Di Bernardo was the creator with a clever grubber kick towards the posts which Barrow picked up and touched down.
The visitors wrapped up the bonus point with 25 minutes to go with a penalty try. Leeds had been dominant throughout in the forwards and looked certain to score a pushover try when the Exiles blindside flanker broke off and hacked the ball the away. Di Bernardo converted both tries to make it 31-0.
Having secured the bonus point, Carnegie took their foot off the gas after that and it was not until the final minute of the game that a fifth try was scored, but it was worth waiting for. A sweeping move upfield involving clever passing by Joe Bedford, Tommy McGee and Phil Nilsen amongst others released Jon Goodridge to score. Leigh Hinton, who took over the kicking when Di Bernardo was replaced following a strong tackle, added the conversion to make the final score 38-0.