Charlie Broughton ran in five of his side’s 15 tries as London Scottish delivered a masterclass in fast, attacking rugby against Manchester. To the visitors credit, they never gave up and claimed a very late consolation try to make the final score 87-7.
The result means that Scottish now lie five points behind National League 1 leader’s Esher, who have played one game less but failed to pick up a bonus point as they were run close by Blackheath in a match that the Surrey side won 20-15.
On a bright but chilly afternoon, Scottish head coach Brett Taylor demonstrated his squad’s strength in depth by fielding in the starting fifteen just three players who previously begun the match against Wharfedale. These were right wing Charlie Broughton, outside centre Rory Damant and fly half Simon Amor, switching from his usual position of scrum half. Stuart Peel, deputising for the rested Frankie Neale at full back, ran Broughton close for the man of the match award with four tries of his own. This was in addition to playing a part in several others, where on more than one occasion he was unlucky not to add more points to his tally.
It was Peel who opened the scoring with a try set up by a surging run from second row Grant Livingston, following a throw to Scottish that had been well claimed by No 8 Willie Lipp. The forwards involvement reflecting the host’s dominance in the pack throughout the match, which helped provide the platform for the backs to rack up points.
By the half hour mark, Scottish had sealed the bonus point, with two tries from Damant sandwiching in a second from Peel as Manchester struggled to cope with the strength of the home forwards and the pace of their back line with the scoring at 28-0 to Scottish.
Broughton claimed his hat trick during a blistering six-minute spell at the end of the first half, his second coming after a lightning quick run down the left flank by Roman Piotrowski. Simon Amor assuming kicking duties in the absence of both Neale and James Brown, where he converted two of those tries to make it six kicks out of seven during the opening period leaving the half-time score at 47-0.
A try came almost immediately from the restart through inside centre Chris Dunlop as Manchester again found no answer to the speed of the Scottish backs, moments later Peel secured his hat-trick slotting into the line by picking up a huge pass from Amor.
Manchester attempted to relieve pressure in midfield by kicking deep into Scottish territory, but the tactic backfired after the Scottish backs ran the ball the length of the field with hooker Arthur Ellis getting the decisive touch just moments after coming on as a replacement. Piotrowski then got his name on the score sheet, by finishing off yet another move in which incisive running and accurate passing by Scottish had left the visitors in disarray with a score of 67-0.
The hosts were now scoring seemingly at will, Peel touching down in the left hand corner to make it 72-0 just before the hour. Charlie Broughton soon added his fourth try after running back a Manchester kick, by exchanging passes with Peel before finishing off the move. The right winger’s fifth try wasn’t too long in arriving as again the rapid movement of the Scottish back line created gaps in the visitor’s defence.
Despite the onslaught, Manchester scrum half drew applause from the crowd as he elected to put a penalty into touch rather than going for three points from 25 metres out. Alas this move resulted in failure for the visitors, as Scottish won the ball with Peel charging the length of the pitch before being held up on the line, he then laid the ball off for flanker Ben Lonergan to get a second try for the forwards.
Manchester, displaying huge reserves of spirit, refused to give up where they got their reward through a try from outside centre David Moore to make the final score 87-7.
London Scottish 87 (Tries: Broughton (5), Peel (4), Damant (2), Dunlop, Ellis, Piotrowski, Lonergan; Conversions: Amor (6))
Manchester 7 (Try: Moore; Conversion; Carlton)
London Scottish: Peel, Broughton, Damant, Dunlop, Piotrowski, Amor, Grant, Culley, Silvester, Graham, Palmer, Livingston, Volley (c), Lonergan, Lipp (Replacements: Rust, Johnson M, Smith, Heeks, Ellis.
Manchester: Taylor, McCabe, Moore, Carlton, Gaule, Lewis, Bradley, Haidinger, Hammond, Prest, Antoniades K, Antoniades G, Davis, Booth, Doney (Replacements: Farrington, Gould)
Notes to Editors
A world famous rugby club, London Scottish was formed in 1878. Based at the Athletic Ground in Richmond, it has produced more international players for Scotland than any other club. Relegated after falling into administration in 1999, the club has since gone from strength to strength, promoted 6 times in 9 seasons. The Club is aiming to be back in the premiership in the next 3 years. London Scottish has a thriving community rugby programme as well as Mini, Youth and Academy teams.
NOTES TO EDITORS
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ABOUT LONDON SCOTTISH
A world famous rugby Club, London Scottish FC was formed in 1878. Based at the Athletic Ground in Richmond, it has produced more international players for Scotland than any other Club. Relegated after falling into administration in 1999, the club has since gone from strength to strength, promoted six times in nine seasons. With new financial backing and a raft of ex-premiership on board, the Club is back in National League 1 and aiming higher for the 2009/10 season. London Scottish has a thriving Community Rugby programme and runs Minis and Youth teams as well as an Academy. Our club sponsor is Steljes. www.londonscottish.com
