1st XV match reports

National League Three South

Cambridge 19 London Scottish 3

The scoreline looks a little grim but in truth this was for long periods an encouraging display against a more or less full-strength Cambridge, and the 40 or so London Scots who travelled up the M11 in driving rain, only to find the weather if anything even worse, were rewarded for their efforts.

Scottish had the wind at their backs for the opening 40, but only had an early Scott Hadden penalty to show for it.

As the half drew to a close it looked ominously as if the Scots would need a bigger lead than a single penalty when they returned to face the wind; Laws’s try in the 38^th minute effectively settled it.

The outlook deteriorated as fast as the conditions, when Scottish conceded a second try: the impetus came from turnover ball. Cambridge pounced and Lombaard crashed over under the posts, leaving Cull an unmissable pot at goal.

Then came a final blow when Cull sent a huge touchfinder fully 80 yards across the pitch, and three phases later when Cambridge were granted a free kick right in front, Liebenberg tapped and went over. It inflated the score to a level that embarrassed many of the noisy home support.

Still: Cambridge haven’t lost a National Two game at home this season and Scottish gave them as much trouble as any opponent thus far. It was encouraging to see Scottish look comfortable at that level; the task is to get there.

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