1st XV match reports

London Scottish 10 London Nigerian 24

Supporters hopes for a Scottish league and cup double were rudely dashed by this deserved defeat.

Scottish were always going to rest key players ahead of the final three league matches. In the end, the match-day squad of 21 included nine from the previous week's 2nd XV and three from the 1st XV squads.

Down 0-7 before Joe Ash produced the only Scottish try, and trailing 7-12 and 10-17, this scratch Scottish side still could have won the game against their London Division 2 opponents. But in the final quarter a seemingly clear touchdown was disallowed and chances galore went begging, including - as Scottish spurned kicks at goal in the capricious breeze - three penalties kicked to touch but lineouts lost.

Nigerians thoroughly deserved their win, however. Their big front five destroyed Scottish with skill and pace as well as power, and throughout the side they displayed the desire to reward their equally committed supporters. Even with a player in the sin bin for the last ten minutes they held on well and broke away to clinch the result with a fourth try.

London Scottish

15. Tom Williams
14. Nick Graves
13. Tom Mitchell
12. Joe Ash
11. Callum Morris
10. Rob Smart
9. Darryn Bruce
1. Adam Friel
2. Andrew Faye
3. Chris Johnston
4. Tom Cocks
5. David Ramsay
6. Scott Breerton
7. Rowan Brown
8. Toby Walker

16. Rob Edmondson
17. Clynton Janke
18. William Rolt
19. Ross Curley
20. Jerry Costeloe
21. Hugh Jones
 

Scorers: