Charlie Broughton claimed a hat-trick and picked up the man-of-the-match award as London Scottish scored an emphatic victory, including a vital bonus point. Cambridge followed by a hard-fought, physical encounter between National League 1 opposition at the Athletic Ground this afternoon.
Scottish took the lead inside three minutes when a pass out wide to the right found Broughton, who ran in from 40 metres to cross over in the corner. James Brown took over kicking duties from the absent Frankie Neale, missing this conversion attempt on this occasion, leaving Scottish with a 5-0 lead.
Followed was a spell of pressure from Cambridge, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty to Scottish that gave the hosts a welcome opportunity to clear their ranks. As Scottish sought to break into the Cambridge half, they conceded a penalty, pulling back three points for the visitors.
Scottish missed a golden opportunity to score when London Scottish full back Stuart Peel knocked on a pass at speed, with the Cambridge defence stretched to breaking point as the hosts countered. Cambridge RUFC player Evans had a chance to put the visitors in the lead, but missed to the right.
Scottish renewed their attack, the visitors’ indiscipline gave four penalty opportunities to LSFC James Brown during the first half, two of which he sent over to put the hosts 11-3 ahead at the interval.
After just two minutes from the restart, London Scottish scored their second try of the afternoon, skipper Gary Trueman playing at 12 burst through the Cambridge defence and passing to flanker Ben Lonergan just short of the line. Scottish’s James Brown’s conversion put hosts 18-3 ahead.
Scottish continued to put the Cambridge defence under pressure, where the visitors’ lack of discipline cost them once more as they conceded a penalty 15 metres out in front of their posts. James Brown took this opportunity to put Scottish 18 points clear.
On the 55 minute mark a lightning-fast Scottish break down was checked at the expense of Cambridge losing No. 8 Dan Ledge for ten minutes in the sin bin, Scottish immediately capitalised, Charles Broughton burrowing over in the right-hand corner, where James Brown sent his kick over from a tricky angle for a 28-3 lead.
Cambridge refused to buckle and within seconds of coming back on, Ledge made a surging run at the Scottish defence, checked only yards from the line. That move began a period of sustained pressure by the visitors, and their reward came on 35 minutes when replacement Dave Archer drove over with Evans kicking the conversion to narrow the scoreline to 28-10.
From the restart, Scottish, who had spent the previous ten minutes encamped deep in their own 22 attacked with renewed vigour as they sought the try that would give them the bonus point. Replacement Rory Damant intercepting as Cambridge attempted to break out of defence and sending a beautifully weighted kick into the corner for Broughton to catch on the full to seal his hat-trick.
With seconds left, Broughton almost claimed his fourth try of the afternoon as he chased down his own chip over the Cambridge defence, but the ball bounced out by the corner flag.
London Scottish 33 (Tries: Broughton (3); Conversions: Brown (2); Penalties: Brown (3))
Cambridge 10 (Try: Archer; Conversion: Evans; Penalty: Evans)
London Scottish: Peeel, Broughton, McInroy, Trueman (capt), Howells, Brown (J), Amor, Johnson (M), Standfield, Fahey, Karonias, Smith, Lonergan, Volley, Lipp (Replacements: Ellis, Johnson (C), Ball, Grant, Damant).
Cambridge: Wheatcroft, Schmidt, Dodge, Evans, Lombaard, Shanahan, Hunter, Brown, Pearl, Laws, Rudzki, Hurrell, Powell, Fox (c), Legge (Replacements: Hunter, Reeves, McComb, Archer, Robinson).
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
CONTACT
0208 940 7156 / 0208 940 8289
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
