PLYMOUTH Albion hooker James Owen believes hard work is the key to the Brickfields club enjoying success in the remainder of the season.

Graham Dawe's side produced a superb team performance at a windswept Old Deer Park on Saturday to beat London Welsh 26-12.

Albion outscored their hosts four tries to two to claim a bonus point and record their first away win of the campaign.

Owen felt plenty of endeavour had been the main factor behind Plymouth's win and he said more will be required if the city side are to build on the victory.

"It was a fantastic morale booster to win on Saturday because we respect London Welsh so much, but under the same breath we have got to now back it up," said Owen.

"There is no point saying it is a great win at London Welsh if we follow that up with a poor performance.

"I do hope all of the boys take a pat on the back, stick their chins up and start realising just how good a team they are and how good we can play.

"However, that comes with hard work – you can't just expect to turn up and for it to happen."

Owen added: "The forwards worked their socks off on Saturday and the backs were really tight defensively and offensively.

"We need to do that every week; it just isn't going to happen for us.

"This team is a Championship rugby team and we should expect to play like that.

"If we set the bar there, then our aspirations will take us up to that kind of performance.

"There are no guarantees, but hopefully, with the work ethic we have got, we can improve on our performances."

Albion's win at London Welsh saw them combat playing against a strong wind first half to go in at the break trailing just 12-5.

Having done so well to restrict the hosts to two tries while scoring a good try of their own, they came out in the second half and made the most of the conditions to dominate.

"It was an absolutely fantastic win against a London Welsh side who I think are one of the top teams in the division," said Owen.

"It just goes to show that when the pressure is on, the boys can pull it out.

"There was a massive wind to play against first half and we did well to limit their scoring opportunities.

"Come the second half, we played in the right parts of the park and took our chances.

"That is something we didn't do against Bristol the week before, so we are very pleased about that."

Owen, who witnessed Welsh winger Dominic Shabbo score the opening try of the match on three minutes, added: "It was disappointing at the start of the match to give them a fairly soft try.

"But fair credit to our lads, we stuck in there and we really toughened up the defence. I thought our defence was outstanding.

"Our close work around the rucks and mauls was brilliant – we dominated them.

"Once we got in front, we just steadied ourselves. In weeks gone past we have got ourselves into good positions and then not consolidated.

"We showed on Saturday that perhaps a bit more maturity has come about – we really controlled the game."

Owen played the whole 80 minutes at Old Deer Park after Joe Clark was ruled out late on Friday with an eye injury.

Dawe, 50, sat on the bench at Welsh but did not come on for his second appearance of the season.

"Joe trained Thursday night but he was accidently caught with a finger in the eye," said Albion boss Dawe.

"He went to the hospital on Friday and they advised him not to play.

"He will now seek some more medical advice."

Dawe confirmed Albion were still awaiting news on the extent of knee ligament damage Canadian flanker Sean-Michael Stephen suffered at Old Deer Park on Saturday.