RUGBY Welsh suffered a narrow 25-22 defeat against Sileby Vikings in their first game of the 2025/26 season.
Rugby came away from the fixture with a losing bonus point but just fell short of completing a comeback at Alwyn Road.
The result means Rugby sit eighth in the Counties 3 Midlands East (South North) table.
Welsh scored the game’s first try when good interplay between James McGill and James Hughes-Woods allowed Iolo Hughes to dot down with McGill adding the extras.
And McGill made another break soon after with Jack Taylor on hand to finish off the move.
Sileby reduced the deficit by kicking two penalties before a converted try sent Rugby into the break trailing by a single point.
The home team reclaimed the lead early in the second period as McGill raced around the opposition defence to score and converted his own try.
Sileby pushed Rugby back in reply and eventually crossed for two tries to reclaim the lead late on.
Welsh refused to give up as Matt Cockman kicked a 50-22 before McGill slotted a penalty between the posts to reduce the deficit.
The home side piled on the pressure at the death but Sileby held on in a closely-fought contest.
Rugby Welsh are next in action against Stamford College Old Boys on Saturday, September 13 with kick-off at 3pm at Uffington Road.
