The old cliché of rugby being a game of two halves proved doubly apt when London Scottish overturned a 13-10 deficit at half time, by scoring 11 points after the break without a single reply to secure a victory.
A pre-match downpour made the going heavy at The Cinderford RFC ground, although the rain had abated by kicked off where even the sun broke through the clouds at times, belying the conditions underfoot.
Playing with the slope in the first half, the hosts dominated territory and possession for much of the opening period. Solid defending from Scottish meant the hosts were unable to translate decent play into sufficient points to withstand the pressure they were put under in the second half.
The Scottish back line’s performance again demonstrated the squad’s strength in depth, whilst James Brown, David Howells and Frankie Neale were all away on England County duties defeating Ireland at Stourbridge – with Neale scoring a hat-trick in the first-half.
Cinderford’s first try came just after the quarter hour when their fly-half launched a kick high towards the left-hand corner, after his side’s forwards had attempted to push over on the right. Scottish right wing Charlie Broughton was unable to claim the ball cleanly under pressure, which broke loose for Cinderford outside centre to touch down with the conversion resulting in a 7-0 lead.
Within ten minutes of the home score came five points from the boot of Simon Amor, playing at fly half. This was accompanied by a try from Matt Johnson, putting Scottish ahead as the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the first half. A try that came after Amor, who had opened his account with a penalty kick, opted to put a second one into touch. From the ensuing throw-in the Scottish pack drove at the Cinderford line, a pack which put in a solid performance all afternoon, epitomised by Tom Standfield picking up the supporters’ man of the match award.
The home side desperately defended the above attack and denied the pushover try, but scrum-half Callum Grant spun the ball out to the left, setting up another attacking phase which resulted in Johnson carrying the ball over the line. Simon Amor sent his conversion kick through the posts, making the score 10-7 to Scottish.
By half-time, the hosts had restored their advantage through two penalties which proved to be their final points of the afternoon with the Scottish backs closing their attacks down quickly and clinically whilst the visiting forwards dominated the game.
A 49th-minute penalty from Amor restored parity, then on 56 minutes Scottish took the lead after replacement centre Ian McInroy held off the Cinderford defence to cross over following a move set up by winger Roman Piotrowski.
Amor struck the right-hand upright with his conversion attempt, but five minutes from time made amends with his third penalty of the match to give Scottish an eight-point cushion that never looked seriously threatened as the clock ticked down with the final score being Cinderford RFC 13-21 London Scottish FC.
London Scottish head coach Brett Taylor said afterwards that he was delighted with the way his team had dealt with both the conditions, and a physical Cinderford side to come away with a win from one of the game’s most passionate heartlands.
“The defence in the first half was outstanding,” said, Taylor, “they had a couple of opportunities but we stayed in touch, and I thought our work rate, our pace, some of our execution and our physicality in the second half to close the game out was absolutely spot-on, so credit to all the boys.”
Next week London Scottish FC will host Redruth at the Athletic Ground.
Cinderford 13: (Boston; Conversion: James; Penalties: James (2))
London Scottish: 21 (Tries: M Johnson, McInroy; Conversion: Amor; Penalties: Amor (3))
Cinderford: Hawley, Winchle, Boston, Scourfield, Paim, James, Pointon, Panoho, Brown, Foden, Jones, Bufton, Deacon (c), Hall, Kenedy (Replacements: Meadows, Duncan, Evans, Elissaro, Arnott)
London Scottish: peel, Broughton, Damant, Trueman, Piotrowski, Amor, Grant, Lipp, Lonergan, Yellowlees, Fullarton, Karonias, Fahey, Standfield, M Johnson (Replacements: Ellis, Brown, Graham, Heeks, McInroy)
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
LONDON SCOTTISH FC
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