1st XV match reports

London Scottish 53 Shelford 18

There comes a time in every side’s season that speaks volumes about their future title aspirations, and this had game had the hallmarks of a potential “banana-skin.”  But against Shelford it wasn’t so much the manner of their victory or the quality of their opponents, but the simple and quietly efficient way in which Scottish went about their work against a dogged but ultimately limited Shelford side. 

The game began brightly enough with Scottish kicking off from left to right on a sunny but cold day.  Shelford began the stronger and soon took the lead with the outstanding Quintyn Austin gaining three points from a well taken kick, after Scottish had infringed at the breakdown. 

Some frantic play ensued with both teams battling for supremacy in the middle of the park.  Scottish began to exert their dominance and an unforced error from Shelford led to a scrum deep in the Shelford twenty-two, some quick hands from Scottish backline led to a well taken score by Charlie Broughton which sent the home crowd into raptures. The conversion was added by Jamie Whelan, an outstanding kick from the touchline. 

The game began to take shape now, as Shelford kicked for position Scottish ran it back with interest, signalling their attacking intentions from the off.  A penalty for killing the ball presented Scottish with an opportunity to extend their lead further, which was duly taken by Whelan again, 10-3.  The game started to go to and fro, as both sides looked to test their opponents’ weaknesses; the Scottish backs looked dangerous every time they had the ball with Greenslade-Jones involved in much of their good work. 

It wasn’t until the 22nd minute that Scottish put some daylight between themselves and their Cambridge counterparts, when constant pressure by the Scottish forwards led to well worked try by Ross Yiend, with Stuart Peel adding the extras. 17-3. With Jamie Whelan spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for over enthusiastic use of the boot, Scottish must have been expecting a closer examination of their defensive qualities, but it was the home side, again, who stole the initiative despite the best defensive efforts of Shelford’s 13, Donny Lam. 

With some excellent build up play by the enigmatic Rowan Brown, Scottish made deep inroads into the Shelford half and Matt Vines created some space for Scottish captain Alex Alesbrook to crash over in the corner which was fully appreciated by the partisan crowd. 

The game entered into a scrappy passage as both sides were guilty of a host of unforced errors, and chances at both ends were squandered.  With Shelford there for the taking Scottish seemed reluctant to go for the kill and instead allowed them back into the match with poor decision making in midfield.  The Scottish defence, seemingly impenetrable so far, was torn open in the 34^th minute, with the gigantic inside centre, Smith, hitting a clever acute angle and forcing his way over to give Shelford some hope.  The conversion slid wide of the upright and the first half fizzled out into anonymity.

The second half began as the first half had ended with errors littering the play.  However, the game soon took shape with Scottish playing some exciting rugby, but often doing so too deep in their half fir which they ultimately paid the price, being penalised for holding on at the bottom of a ruck.  Austin added the three points for the visitors which closed the gap to just 11 points after 42 minutes played. 

This score proved to be an unlikely catalyst for Scottish as they seized the initiative from an infringement by the Shelford hooker. Scottish needed something. They produced it. Heke had already made inroads and after 48 minutes Scottish set the match on fire. Alex Alesbrook went driving from the base of a scrum and Scottish whipped a quick ball to the right.

Greenslade-Jones delivered a stunning pass out of a heavy tackle by Lam to send Vines charging through the middle, and he sent Ross Yiend side-stepping over.  Conversion missed. 

With the exceptional Alex Alesbrook leaving the field shortly after due to a suspected dead leg, as a result Scottish became fragmented and Shelford’s game began to take shape.  Only some excellent defensive work at the breakdown refuted wave after wave of Shelford attack. 

But for all their endeavour Shelford lacked intelligence behind their blunt physical approach and with the tryline beckoning a handling error allowed Matt Vines an interception from his own 22 to scamper the length of the pitch.  Conversion by Whelan, with 62 minutes played.

As the game entered the final quarter, Scottish’s superior fitness levels and class shone through with Ross Yiend producing a superlative chip-and-chase, and Scottish brought some fresh faces on with Box and Costeloe coming into the match.  Strong work by the Scottish tight five enabled them to exert even more pressure on the opposition which resulted in Brown hitting a good line past a tired Shelford defence. 39-11. (72 minutes). 

With the game seemingly moving rapidly away from Shelford a flash of brilliance from Austin saw the omnipotent fly-half break three tackles and slither over in the far corner, which he then converted to make the score 39-18.  Scottish re-aquainted themselves with the ball and by doing so began to show even greater desire to kill off a resilient Shelford. 

Concerted pressure by the home side created gaps in the Shelford defence, and some tired tackles enabled replacement Costeloe to bludgeon his way over under the posts, which was converted again by Whelan. 46-18. The match entered its final moments, but Scottish weren’t finished scoring yet and a some smart lines of running by the Scottish centres created space for speedster Yiend to power his way to the tryline to seal his hat trick.  The subsequent conversion was pulled wide by Whelan.