Delaney has lost several star players this summer

Nottingham director of rugby Glenn Delaney paid tribute to his forwards after seeing his side secure their first win of the season on Sunday.

The Green & Whites recorded a 23-16 victory over London Welsh at Meadow Lane and Delaney said his pack's dominance was vital.

"Our lineout was outstanding but our scrum gave us a really good platform," Delaney told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"And this was key as it gave us the opportunity to score some points."

Delaney also singled out hooker Tom Youngs for particular praise.

"Tom's throwing was outstanding," Delaney added.

"It gave us the platform to drive off and he certainly was one of the stand-out players on the pitch."

The game started positively for Nottingham with a fourth-minute try by hooker Youngs, who ran a beautiful line to collect scrum-half Tim Uzaz's pass and touch down to score an early try.

An Aled Thomas try and penalty kept the visitors in touch but some ill discipline by London Welsh gave centre Greig Tonks the opportunity to kick two penalty goals and Nottingham led 13-8 at the break.

London Welsh could easily have been ahead at half-time but a score by Errie Claassoans was ruled out because of an off-the-ball scuffle that saw second row Ben Thomas sent to the sin bin.

In the second half Nottingham once again scored an early try when Nic Rouse crossed the line off the back of a rolling maul and another Tonks penalty increased Nottingham's lead further.

But the visitors hit back late on and a try in the right-hand corner by replacement Paul Sampson and a late Aled Thomas penalty earned them a losing bonus point for getting within seven points of Nottingham's score.

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