2nd  XV match reports

London Scottish II 50 – 10  Dings Crusaders  II 

Scottish eased to a comfortable win against a feisty young Dings side after a fairly even first quarter.  Dings were unable to cope with the impressive Scottish forward strength and organisation in line-out and driving mauls, which directly delivered four tries.  The other four tries came through the backs, where the Scottish centres regularly broke the line but the freezing wingers had few opportunities to ward off the cold. 

Scottish made the perfect start with a catch and drive try for Friel in the second minute, after Dings were penalised for ‘over the top’.  Dings missed a couple of penalty pots at goal, but equalised with the scrum half pinching Scottish scrum ball and darting over.  Rice and Block failed to convert a 2 on 1 opportunity, but Dings were penalised and a quick tap and rapid movement wide brought a converted try for Aylward.  Dings replied with their second try catching a chip ahead and coasting over in the corner.

Scottish then turned the screw up front with Taft and Friel getting the touchdowns from driving mauls.  Soper enjoyed a couple of lengthy gallops.  Stack cut Dings wide open with a classic show and go break to put Aylward over for a try and his fourth successive conversion.    

In line with the half-time instructions, Scottish kept the ball tight from the restart and duly put the result beyond doubt with a hatrick try for Friel, who sadly had to retire soon after with a shoulder injury.  Four good chances went begging before the next try. A Smart dribble and deft pick-up by Rice was just halted short of the line. Aylward’s chip ahead just evaded Yiend’s grasp. Then Stewart raced on to a long pass and a memorable try looked on, but his scoring pass to Block was knocked down.  Finally, Ash was robbed of the ball in crashing over the line.  However, the try was well worth waiting for, with Breerton bursting through and slick ball movement right for Block to score a debut try. 

Dings had a spell of pressure which nearly brought a consolation try, but the ball was knocked on going over the line.  Scottish finished off well, with Gregory putting Aylward in for his hatrick and the referee deciding that was enough in the fading light. 

Team: 15. Justin Aylward; 14. Kiersten Block, 13. Adam Rice, 12. Joe Ash, 11. Ross Yiend; 10. Luke Stack, 9. James Colburn;  8. Nick Taft, 7. Mark Douglas, 6. David Ramsey, 5. Lee Soper, 4. Arno van der Spek; 3. Jim Kelly, 2. Matt Baker, 1. Adam Friel.

Replacements: 16. Ross Curley, 17. Alan Stewart, 18. Hein van der Spek, 19. Neil Hitchen, 20. Scott Breerton, 21. Rob Smart, 22. Chris Dunlop, 23. Piers Gregory.

Tries: Friel 3, Aylward 3, Taft, Block; Cons: Aylward 5.

Scoring sequence: 5-0 (2 mins), 5-5 (11), 12-5 (18), 12-10 (23), 19-10 (28), 26-10 (34), 33-10 (37); 40-10 (42), 45-10 (59), 50-10 (75).

Conditions:  Bitterly cold but dry.  Pitch good.

David Lamb 

London Scottish II  35 – 27  Richmond  II 

In line with long-running tradition, this was a fiercely competitive ‘friendly’ with plenty of edge.  Scottish were happy with the win, even though the scoreline should probably have been more convincing.  While never really seriously threatened, Scottish twice let Richmond back into the game, but were pounding away at the Richmond line at the end. 

It was good to welcome back the familiar form of Magnus Macdonald and to have Mark Douglas and Matt Baker join the regulars in a strong Scottish pack.  They soon showed their strength as Richmond conceded a string of penalties, and Smart potted the first convertible one to put Scottish ahead.  Scottish extended their lead with a scintillating try from their own 22, with the ball passing through many hands, Douglas stepping to make a telling break, and Reid unselfishly feeding Gregory for the touchdown. 

In Richmond’s first serious attack, Scottish were penalised for pulling down and conceded three points.  Despite playing against the wind, Smart kicked effectively to keep Richmond pinned back and the sound Scottish line-out ensured plentiful possession. Richmond lost their tight-head for ten minutes for refusing to scrummage properly. Scottish had several chances to score, with a drive held up on the line, and then a Stack break blind and Ash surge setting up position, but the final pass went behind Douglas, who was nailed on the touchline as he turned to touchdown.  Scottish finally secured the score they had been threatening, with a back row drive taken on by Ramsey winning a penalty and Baker getting the catch and drive touchdown. 

At 15-3 up, Scottish eased off a bit and paid the price.  A Stack chip out of the 22 was clawed out of the air by the Richmond fly-half for a try.  Then in extended stoppage time, Scottish were slow to stop a 30 metre driving maul. Taft was carded for bringing it down. Richmond maintained the pressure close to the line, and worked the ball to their returned tight-head who barrelled through Smart for a try.

Scottish restarted in determined fashion, forcing Richmond to clear into touch near their line, and Baker claimed the try from the resulting catch and drive.  Smart extended the Scottish lead with two penalties.  Richmond enjoyed the better of the next ten minutes, denied a try in the corner by a saving tackle and then missing a penalty pot.  Baker broke out and put Heeks away on a 50 metre jinking run, but Scottish failed to capitalise on a promising position.  Richmond then opened their second half account when their right-winger danced through several half-hearted attempted tackles to score by the posts. 

Scottish responded impressively with Stack and Ash double looping to put Reid and Yiend away, but outstanding Richmond cover denied the winger his try.  Taft surged very close to the line from the resulting scrum, and the Scottish try eventually came from Hein van der Spek taking the inside pass from Ash’s break.  A Richmond counter-attack brought a try just into injury time, although the ball had gone forward in a tackle. Although the conversion was missed to leave Scottish more than a score ahead, Scottish were determined to finish off with another try and were driving relentlessly at the Richmond line when the referee blew for no-side.

Team: 15. Rob Smart; 14. Piers Gregory, 13. Phil Reid, 12. Joe Ash, 11. Ross Yiend; 10. Luke Stack, 9. Matt Heeks;  8. Nick Taft, 7. Mark Douglas, 6. Arno van der Spek, 5. Lee Soper, 4. David Ramsey; 3. Magnus Macdonald, 2. Matt Baker, 1. Ross Curley.

Replacements: 16. Shane Coughlan, 17. Hein van der Spek, 18. John Addo.

Tries: Gregory, Baker 2, Hein van der Spek; Cons: Smart 3; Pens: Smart 3.

Scoring sequence: 3-0 (8 mins), 10-0 (14), 10-3 (16), 15-3 (40), 15-10 (40+5), 15-15 (40+13); 22-15 (42), 25-15 (45), 28-15 (48), 28-22 (69), 35-22 (77), 35-27 (80+1).

Conditions:  Strong cold wind, but dry.  Pitch good despite overnight rain.

David Lamb 

Ealing  II 38 – 10  London Scottish II  

The combination of a poor performance and the rub of the green going very much with Ealing’s shirts condemned Scottish to a heavy defeat.  Scottish did raise their game in the second half, but overall a well-drilled Ealing side just seemed more up for this game. 

Scottish started off confidently and looked good for the first seven minutes or so, with a particularly impressive forward making thirty metres.  However, when Ealing gained a scrum ten metres out, they maintained position and worked a simple try with their left winger slipping Gregory’s tackle and bursting past Aylward for the opening try.  Ealing went close again before Scottish scored a good try.  Arno van der Spek pounced on loose ball, which was moved wide for Aylward to put Yiend clear 45 metres out. Smart’s conversion just dropped down back off the post.

Five minutes later, Ealing broke a few Scottish tackles, gained a scrum, drove and moved the ball to the right wing for a try.  Smart’s second place kick, a 25 metre penalty, also hit the posts.  Awarded another penalty in the same place a few minutes later, Scottish elected to kick for touch.  A copybook catch and drive looked certain to result in a try, but was hauled down short, so Scottish moved the ball wide right only to see it dislodged in the tackle and picked up by the Ealing full back who sprinted 80 metres for a try at the other end – a 12/14 pointer moment.  Ealing confidence soared and slick offloading through the middle took them to the Scottish posts where their outstanding flanker was in support to go over for another try. 

Scottish rang the changes at half time, and enjoyed the early second half pressure. However, as in the first half, Scottish failed to convert this into points, and leaked a softish try as Ealing again broke tackles and fed their ever-present support.  Hein van der Spek and Goldring took the ball up the touch line, and Taft got the touchdown from the driving maul – but the referee said he hadn’t seen it, despite the Ealing players clearly accepting that the try had been scored – a second turning point, denying Scottish an outside chance of rescuing the game.

Scottish nevertheless continued to apply themselves and pressed hard, with Ealing using any means of defence, fair and foul, to frustrate their opponents. The referee eventually carded the Ealing scrum-half for persistent offside and interference.  A charge down over the Ealing line nearly brought the deserved try, but Navuni just knocked the spiralling ball forward in touching down.   Then, with Ealing’s first attack for nearly twenty minutes, a wicked cross-kick bounce left Yiend with no chance as the Ealing winger raced on to it for their sixth try.  Some Scottish pride was eventually restored with a catch and drive try for Curley, and Scottish attacked for the remaining ten minutes to no-side

Team: 15. Justin Aylward; 14. Piers Gregory, 13. Adam Rice, 12. Joe Ash, 11. Ross Yiend; 10. Rob Smart, 9. James Goldring;  8. Nick Taft, 7. Hein van der Spek, 6. Gab Navuni, 5. Rob Hartley, 4. Arno van der Spek; 3. Alan Stewart, 2. Shane Coughlan, 1. Ross Curley. 

Replacements: 16. Craig McMillan, 17. Dan Leek, 18. Neil Hitchen; 19. James Colburn, 20. Phil Reid, 21. Stuart Donald, 22. Luke Stack. 

Tries: Yiend, Curley. 

Scoring sequence: 7-0 (11 mins), 7-5 (18), 12-5 (23), 19-5 (30), 26-5 (33); 31-5 (47), 38-5 (65), 38-10 (70).

Conditions:  Bitterly cold wind.  Pitch fine. 

David Lamb 

Cambridge University LX (2^nds)  17 – 42  London Scottish II

The team travelled to Cambridge with only 15 players, several of them debutants and just three survivors from the equivalent trip last year.  After a shaky first few minutes, the team settled down, well led by Taft, to put together an impressive performance, winning comfortably against a rather disappointing University side. 

Aylward put Scottish in front on their first trip into Cambridge territory, slotting a penalty kick from out wide.  Cambridge then worked the ball wide right and left, giving their winger some space and he slipped Lesubula’s tackle to touch down in the corner.  Scottish responded immediately with concerted forward driving, Coughlan charging the last ten metres through two tackles to reclaim the lead.  Goldring and Aylward were operating smoothly at half-back, setting up good running opportunities for the backs, and Yiend raced on to a lobbed final pass after slick miss moves and loops to score in the corner.

Scottish continued fairly comfortably on top with Hartley dominating the line-out and Breerton ensuring quick ball recycling, although the Scottish scrum seemed under a little pressure.  Morris made a 50 metre outside break to set up position, for Ash first and then Aylward to probe the Cambridge line, the latter getting the try.  Scottish threatened again through Morris, Yiend and Aylward, before Cambridge countered and looked set to score but spilled the ball over the line.  A Navuni tackle and Coughlan follow up of Aylward’s up and under gave Yiend a chip and chase chance, which Cambridge took over their line.  Despite the Scottish scrum 5 retreating, Taft picked up and forced his way over for a try.

Scottish maintained their momentum in the second half, with patient forward driving.  Ash made a threatening run and Curley went close with some deft footwork, before the ball was put out for Lesubula to speed over in the corner.  Cambridge then spent some time deep in Scottish territory and pegged a try back.  Cambridge obligingly ‘lent’ Scottish a prop, Andrew Sanderson, to replace promising Scottish Academy player Webster, who enjoyed his first taste of senior rugby.

Scottish snuffed out any chance of a Cambridge comeback, gaining position in the Cambridge 22, where Breerton stepped past a couple of tacklers to get close and recycle the ball for Taft to barrel his way over.  Morris converted from out wide.  With the game effectively safe, Scottish tried a few fancy touches which entertained but didn’t deliver any points, other than to Cambridge eventually when ball was dropped and hacked over for a try.  However, Scottish had the final word with a second try for man-of the-match Coughlan with a copybook catch and drive from a five-metre line-out. 

Team: 15. Callum Morris;  14. John Lesubula, 13. Marika Cokamasiga, 12. Joe Ash, 11. Ross Yiend; 10. Justin Aylward, 9. James Goldring;  8. Nick Taft, 7. Scott Breerton, 6. Gab Navuni;  5. Hein van der Spek, 4. Rob Hartley;  3. Paul Webster, 2. Shane Coughlan, 1. Ross Curley. 

Tries: Coughlan 2, Yiend, Aylward, Taft 2, Lesubula;  Con: Morris 2; Pen: Aylward..

Scoring sequence: 0-3 (5 mins), 5-3 (7), 5-8 (10), 5-13 (14), 5-18 (27), 5-23 (40+3); 5-28 (47), 10-28 (56), 10-35 (60), 17-35 (78), 17-42 (80+2).

Conditions:  Gloomy, still, cold afternoon.  Immaculate pitch.

David Lamb

Esher  II 17 – 10  London Scottish II  

Scottish played well but came away disappointed to have lost a match they dominated in terms of possession and territory, particularly in the first half.  Esher defended well, kicked their points and won the game.  This report is based on unreliable memory as the match notes have been lost.  

The Scottish scrum and line-out operated smoothly ensuring lots of possession for the backs, who handled securely and varied the play, but found the Esher cover difficult to beat.  One particular spell saw Scottish go through multiple phases for some three minutes around the Esher 22 without achieving much headway, although a penalty was won.  That penalty, and another one later in the first half, brought line-outs five metres out, but Esher successfully countered the resulting drives.  Broughton missed with a 25 metre penalty kick and Hadden scuffed a drop kick.  

Scottish eventually did get a try after about 25 minutes working the ball one way and the other to create sufficient space.  Dunlop made the decisive line-break and although the pass wide to Yiend bounced behind him, he had enough time to turn, gather, and touch down.   Esher ventured into the Scottish half for the first time, and pegged back three points with a penalty from 35 metres.  On their next excursion into Scottish territory, breaks from the centre and then fly-half brought Esher a try, converted from fairly wide out.  In injury time, Scottish levelled the score when Esher dropped the ball running out of defence, Gregory hacked on and picked up to dot down over the line by the post.  Broughton missed the conversion.

Esher saw more of the ball in the second half and had one lengthy spell of pressure in the Scottish 22, but it was Scottish who again did most of the attacking.  The decisive score came around ten minutes in when, from a quick penalty tap, the Esher fly-half chipped ahead and collected to scoot over for the try.  

Scottish had lots of attacking opportunities but never quite managed to create a clear scoring chance with Esher forcing rushed passes, knock-ons and turnovers at crucial times.  One particular spell saw backs and forwards interchanging impressively with deft quick hands, but ended only with Coughlan being forced into touch.  As in the first half, two line-out drives were frustrated and Broughton missed a penalty kick.  

Yiend twice and Gregory kicked ahead on the end of flowing moves, but were beaten by the bounce.  Heeks broke to within 5 metres of the line, and then was held up after Ramsey fielded a high sliced clearance close to the line.  After a metatarsal injury to the Esher substitute scrum-half, Ramsey led Scottish on one final chance to rescue the game, but the attack ended with Morris dragged into touch on halfway and the whistle went.  

Team: 15. Charles Broughton; 14. Ross Yiend, 13. Chris Dunlop, 12. Adam Rice, 11. Piers Gregory; 10. Scott Hadden, 9. Matt Heeks;  8. David Ramsey, 7. Scott Breerton, 6. Hein van der Spek, 5. Lee Soper, 4. Grant Livingston; 3. Al Stewart, 2. Shane Coughlan, 1. Adam Friel. 

Replacements: 16. Scott Laird; 17. Dan Beard; 18. Callum Morris.

Tries: Yiend, Gregory. 

Scoring sequence: 0-5, 3-5, 10-5, 10-10; 17-10.  

Conditions:  Overcast and breezy.  Pitch perfect.

David Lamb

London Scottish II  24 – 23  Blackheath  II 

Scottish emerged from a cracking game played at great pace from start to finish with a single–point win, balancing out the one-point defeat at Plymouth last week.  Blackheath scored deep into injury time, with the touchline conversion to win, but the promising-looking kick curled round just outside the post to leave Scottish with the victory, which they really should have secured earlier. 

The first minute proved a good indication of the feast of rugby to follow.  Hadden fielded the kick-off and kicked into the midfield space – Blackheath ran the ball back, but were turned over – Scottish moved the ball wide and a try looked on, but the pass was intercepted – and Heeks covered back with great anticipation and speed for a try-saving tackle.  Blackheath remained downfield and were close to scoring but knocked on crossing the line.  However, the score was not long delayed, with Blackheath turning the Scottish scrum, gaining a penalty, and converting the 5m line-out into a copybook catch and drive try. 

The Scottish response was instant with Broughton put straight through the middle for a try and conversion.  Brown made rapid ground to take the restart kick at full tilt, and set up Hadden and Rice to go close, but the recycled ball was knocked on.  Scottish continued to impress with Heeks whisking the ball away quickly, Hadden putting his strong centres into space on the front foot, and Broughton and Gregory enjoying opportunities to run.  Scottish won a penalty bringing a line-out 5 metres out but were penalised in turn, and then allowed the Blackheath winger to run 50 metres before stopping him just 10 metres out.  However, the Scottish midfield did deliver the score they were threatening, with Hadden breaking from halfway, timing perfectly his feed to Dunlop, who drew the remaining cover and lobbed inside for Rice to canter over for the try.

Blackheath clawed back three points with a penalty, but Scottish continued to enjoy the upper hand.  Brown collected his charge down and offloaded to Heeks who danced around the despairing defence and moved laterally across the posts only to see his pass wide intercepted.  Blackheath pegged back another three points with a penalty, but Scottish looked the more likely to score before half time.  However, another promising Scottish attack fell just short, the Blackheath No 8 made 20 metres back, put his winger away, and the centre was in support to score at the other end.

Scottish started the second half in determined mode and were only denied a try by the Blackheath winger blocking the scoring pass.  After a long drop goal attempt from Broughton, Scottish pressed down the left and Hadden took an inside pass to weave over for a try.  Broughton’s conversion just squeezed inside the far post for what proved to the invaluable extra two points.  The Scottish forwards maintained possession and territorial advantage, with new father Bruce prominent in generating momentum.  Several strong surges by Ball from scrum and ruck base secured good attacking positions, and eventually brought Scottish a penalty kicked by Broughton when Blackheath were penalised for holding on in trying to run the ball out.

Scottish dropped back into ‘closing the game down’ mode, with our second new father Smart on at fly half (straight from the hospital where baby Robert Cameron was born the day before) pegging Blackheath back.  Laird departed injured to leave the scrums uncontested and Brown throwing in.  Blackheath knocked on twice to miss two good scoring opportunities through a 5 metre line-out and their winger, but did get their late score moving the ball wide to their winger after a 20 metre forward drive.  The conversion was missed and Scottish survived the remaining couple of minutes comfortably for Blackheath to suffer their second successive single-point league defeat.

Team: 15. Charles Broughton; 14. Piers Gregory, 13. Chris Dunlop, 12. Adam Rice, 11. Ross Yiend; 10. Scott Hadden, 9. Matt Heeks;  8. Darrell Ball, 7. Rowan Brown, 6. Hein van der Spek, 5. Lee Soper, 4. Grant Livingston; 3. Raynn Bruce, 2. Scott Laird, 1. Adam Friel.

Replacements: 16. Rob Hartley; 17. Rob Smart; 18. Joe Ash.

Tries: Broughton, Rice, Hadden; Cons: Broughton 3; Pen: Broughton. 

Scoring sequence: 0-5 (4 mins), 7-5 (6), 14-5 (25), 14-8 (31), 14-11 (40+2), 14-18 (40+5); 21-18 (49), 24-18 (70), 24-23 (80+7).

Conditions:  Warm and sunny with light breeze.  Pitch perfect.

David Lamb

Plymouth Albion  I  23 – 22  London Scottish II 

Scottish returned home by rail replacement coach and train with their heads and the limited range of the Devonport Co-op off-licence held high after a stirring second half performance that so nearly brought a win.  After London Welsh and Nottingham pulling out of the previous two league fixtures, the Scottish squad were well up for this game, particularly newcomers Dunlop, Hadden and Coughlan.  Albion’s impressive ground redevelopment and a reasonable paying crowd of around 200 provided a big game setting, but the dismal weather conditions dispelled any prospect of champagne rugby.

Albion took the lead with an early drop goal after gaining the field position from a raking penalty against Scottish for chasing ahead of the kicker.  Scottish responded with a series of pick and goes and Rice running strongly on the reverse angle, but possession was lost with a knock on.  However, Scottish surged back into Albion territory, but Ramsey’s pop-up pass five metres out came off Navuni’s knee.  Hadden made a half-break, and Albion were penalised for handling in the ruck, but Broughton missed the kick from 25 metres out.

The Albion winger slipped a tackle to get within ten metres of the Scottish line, which was then under threat from a prolonged series of mauls.  The near inevitable penalty conceded in defence gave Plymouth a line-out five metres out which they converted into a catch and drive try.  Scottish enjoyed a period of stringing together some phases, but the greasy ball made any attempt at expansive rugby inadvisable, with both sides usually obliged to take the kicking option.

The Albion fly-half set up his team in the left corner, where Scottish valiantly defended driving mauls for some three minutes, losing Navuni to the sin-bin in the process for not making sufficient effort to roll away.  With the 14 man Scottish defence sucked in, Albion strolled over for a try. 

Scottish struck back, with Broughton catching his own up and under, feeding Breerton, and Alesbrook driving on.  Albion were penalised and Alesbrook, sensing Albion anticipating the goal kick, took a quick tap from ten metres out and drove over for a try.  An Albion grubber kick returned them to the Scottish line, and, while their initial pushover attempt was halted, the subsequent maul was driven over for a try in injury time.

Coach Robinson and captain Alesbrook rallied Scottish at half-time and the second half saw Scottish up the pace and move the ball as the rain eased.  Scottish managed to build phasse with increasing confidence, and the deserved try duly arrived ten minutes into the half.  Breerton made good ground, Ramsey followed up to break a tackle and Albion were penalised, with a copybook catch and drive bringing a touchdown for Friel, converted by Broughton.

Scottish survived a charge down scare and then brought on Curley and Colburn. More penalties were going the way of Scottish and Broughton duly kicked one to narrow the gap to five points.  However, Scottish knocked on the restart and Plymouth cancelled out Broughton’s penalty with a 40 metre drop goal.

Hein van der Spek replaced Navuni, who had struggled with a thigh injury, and Scottish continued to take the game to Albion.  The backs ran the ball at every opportunity, and Alesbrook with great support, particularly from Breerton and the Spekkies, consistently made ground to the growing concern of Albion and their support, frustrated that the home side did not move the ball beyond their fly-half.  Unfortunately, the Scottish momentum was lost with a lengthy stoppage for an injury to Coughlan.  However, Scottish did eventually get a deserved third try when Hein van der Spek swooped upon a rare Albion slip up and just made it to the line despite despairing tackles. 

After a second delay to attend to the injured van der Spek, Scottish had four minutes remaining to overcome the single point deficit.  Several attempts were made to run the ball out of the 22, but with the greasy ball and Albion’s defence driven on by 47-year-old Graham Dawe (who the night before had been coaxching Plymouth 1st XV at Doinacaster), the extra points were not to come.  However, Scottish came away well satisfied with a storming performance against a strong Albion side.

Team: 15. Charles Broughton; 14. Piers Gregory, 13. Chris Dunlop, 12. Adam Rice, 11. Joe Ash ; 10. Scott Hadden, 9. Matt Heeks;  8. Alex Alesbrook, 7. Scott Breerton, 6. Gab Navuni, 5. David Ramsey, 4. Arno van der Spek; 3. Alan Stewart, 2. Shane Coughlan, 1. Adam Friel.

Replacements: 16. Ross Curley; 17. Hein van der Spek; 18. James Colburn.

Tries: Alesbrook, Friel, Hein van der Spek; Cons: Broughton 2; Pen: Broughton.

Scoring sequence: 3-0 (4 mins), 8-0 (18), 15-0 (36), 15-5 (38), 20-5 (40 + 3); 20-12 (50), 20-15 (60), 23-15 (62), 23-22 (80+5).  

Conditions:  Drenching drizzle (first half) and changeable wind. 

David Lamb

Newbury  II  12 – 20  London Scottish II  

Scottish enjoyed a good win against a young Newbury side to banish memories of last season’s fifty point defeat.  However, the pleasure of victory was tempered by the double jaw fracture suffered by Mitchell, plus less serious injuries to Nauvoulou and Swales.  It took Scottish a while for their stronger pack to impose themselves, but by the end the win was more convincing than the eight point margin might suggest. 

Three minutes in, Broughton was just short with a long range penalty, but Ash ran the clearance kick back and Scottish won a further penalty.  This time the ball went to touch and the forwards drove the line-out possession rapidly infield and over for Bruce to score against his old club.  Scottish knocked on the restart kick, and from the scrum Newbury broke through the centre for a quick and simple reply.  With both tries scored with relative ease, a feast of scoring seemed in prospect, but it was not to be with several promising opportunities missed, as defences tightened, turnovers increased, errors crept in and injuries mounted.  

Scottish went close with an Aylward drop kick and then Rice hacked on over the line, but Newbury got the touchdown.  After Gregory replaced Mitchell, the Newbury backs went through several attacking phases but the Scottish defence held firm.  Colburn broke away to relieve the pressure, but couldn’t find Scottish support, as Swales pulled up with a hamstring problem.  Near the end of the half, the Newbury left-winger touched down in the corner, but the try was disallowed for a double movement. 

Scottish started the second half well, but a lateral Aylward run was shepherded into touch.  Newbury broke strongly down the middle, and though well stopped initially, they followed up to score through less convincing tackling.  Scottish responded with determination and put together an impressive build-up, but Aylward missed with a drop kick when try-scoring options looked open.  However, a Colburn break and good offloads maintained the momentum and brought a penalty for Scottish, converted by Broughton.

Scottish continued to assert themselves, and Gregory broke through passing to Breerton who was held up just short with Newbury blocking release.  Fahey took a quick tap and was unstoppable with the Scottish pack driving him over.  Fitzgerald and Hartley reinforced the Scottish effort and Newbury were forced to concede a further penalty after a Rice break and offload to Broughton threatened their line.  Although Newbury’s defensive drive denied Scottish, despite Smith’s sound line-out take, the clinching score was not delayed much longer.  The Scottish scrum was close to a pushover, Aylward darted to the posts, and Scottish quickly recycled ball for Gregory to put Broughton crashing over for a well-worked try.

Newbury failed with a long penalty kick, as did Broughton with a drop-kick from within his own half.  For the remaining eight minutes or so it was all Scottish with the replacement players particularly prominent.  Reid had a great run down the left wing, and then Curley produced a dazzling combination of swerve, side-step and show and go to put Hitchen in close to the Newbury line, where Scottish were camped at the final whistle.

Team: 15. Gareth Swales; 14. Joe Ash, 13. Tom Mitchell, 12. Adam Rice, 11.Charles Broughton; 10. Justin Aylward, 9. James Colburn;  8. Nick Taft, 7. Scott Breerton, 6. Gab Nauvoulou, 5. David Ramsey, 4. Graeme Smith; 3. Andy Fahey, 2. Scott Laird, 1. Raynn Bruce.

Replacements: 16. Ross Curley;  17. Adam Friel;  18. Matt Fitzgerald; 19. Rob Hartley; 20. Neil Hitchen;  21. Piers Gregory;  22. Phil Reid.

Tries: Bruce, Fahey, Broughton; Con: Broughton; Pen: Broughton.

Scoring sequence: 0-7 (5 mins), 7-7 (7); 12-7 (48), 12-10 (52), 12-15 (58), 12-20 (68).

Conditions:  Still and overcast.  Pitch greasy.

David Lamb

London Scottish I 55 – 15  Glamorgan Wanderers  II 

Scottish won this opening league game convincingly with an impressive display of attractive rugby.  It was good to welcome back from injury regulars Friel, Curley and Reid to an excellent team performance.   

The first quarter was fairly even with the scoring limited to an exchange of penalties.  However, the prospects were looking good for Scottish with their bigger pack beginning to impose themselves and the back line moving confidently.  Scottish were turning the Welsh scrum and the line-out was functioning well.  Hartley enjoyed a couple of lengthy charges from line-outs, and Taft proved a most effective ball-carrier.  Heeks sniped busily around the fringes, and Smart controlled play smoothly with boot and hand. 

Pressure from Scottish brought a scrum 5, from which Swales and Fahey were held just short.  From the clearance kick, Swales and Yiend, who saw little of the ball through the game, ran the ball wide, but when it went loose, Glamorgan hacked it 80 metres to score at the other end. 

The Scottish response was immediate.  From a Glamorgan clearance, Lacey fed Swales, who broke the line, and took the return pass to coast in for a try.  The same combination worked a second try reading the gaps and running great lines through the centre.  Another sweet try soon followed, with a long pass putting Lacey away down the wing, timing his inside scoring pass to Rice perfectly.  Brown wrapped up the first half romping in for a try from Nauvoulou’s midfield break. 

Scottish restarted in similar vein.  Nauvoulou, Ash and Laird made good ground, bringing a penalty, which Heeks quickly tapped maintaining forward momentum, followed by a couple of pick and goes before Friel crashed over for a try.   After a bit of a lull, Scottish then put together a sweeping multiple passing phase with Smart taking Rice’s return pass to score in the corner.  Curley, Hitchens, Colburn and Hall came on and the van der Speks interchanged with continued efficiency and style in the team performance. 

Glamorgan raised their game and enjoyed ten minutes in the Scottish half, culminating in a try from a tap penalty in the right corner, after coming close to scoring on the left.  However, Scottish quickly responded with two tries from returning players. Firstly, Smith, back from abroad, got the touchdown in an impressive forward drive, and then Friel celebrated his with his second try. 

Team: 15. Gareth Swales; 14. Ross Yiend, 13. Joe Ash, 12. Adam Rice, 11. Martin Lacey; 10. Rob Smart, 9. Matt Heeks;  8. Nick Taft, 7. Rowan Brown, 6. Gab Nauvoulou, 5. Arno van der Spek, 4. Rob Hartley; 3. Andy Fahey, 2. Scott Laird, 1. Adam Friel. 

Replacements: 16. Ross Curley;  17. Andrew Smith;  18. Hein van der Spek;  19. Neil Hitchens;  20. James Colburn;  21. Cody Hall, 22. Phil Reid. 

Tries: Lacey 2, Rice, Brown, Friel 2, Smart, Smith; Cons: Smart 5, Hall; Pen: Smart. 

Scoring sequence: 0-3 (7 mins), 3-3 (11), 3-10 (22), 10-10 (24), 17-10 (32), 24-10 (35), 31-10 (40); 38-10 (45), 43-10 (59), 43-15 (70), 48-15 (74), 55-15 (76). 

Conditions:  Warm and sunny with breeze.  Pitch perfect.

Barnes II 20 – 28  London Scottish II    

Barnes made Scottish work hard for a win which eventually came in injury time.  With Barnes unable to field a front row, the uncontested scrums denied Scottish a likely advantage there and contributed to the scrappy nature of the game. It was stop-start throughout with a succession of injuries, errors and penalties, with Barnes receiving three yellow cards.  Nevertheless, Scottish stuck with it through the frustrations and were rewarded with victory in the end against a dogged Barnes side. 

Scottish started brightly with Smart putting Ash away for a dash down the touchline, but with staunch defence from Barnes and mistakes, forced and unforced, from Scottish, no early points were scored.  Fitzgerald came off with an ankle injury on the quarter hour and was replaced by Nauvaulou.  Soon after a Rice break and Bruce charge brought a penalty converted by Broughton. 

Scottish were penalised for holding on in trying to run out of their own 22 and Barnes kicked an equalising penalty.   Rice crossed the Barnes line, but Mitchell’s foot had just been in touch in delivering the inside pass to him.  Then Mitchell was tackled just short after collecting Eddington’s box-kick off a Barnes head, and Scottish knocked on moving the recycled ball wide when a score looked on. 

Scottish put together an impressive group of four phases in progressing out of defence, before moving it wide only for Barnes to intercept in midfield for a try.  Soon after Barnes swept downfield but failed to finish off, but from a resultant scrum, their fly half dummied through a gap and scored under the posts.   

Scottish dominated the eight minutes of first half injury time, and at last scored a try through Nauvaulou’s break and scoring pass to Rice.  Breaks from Brown and Eddington set up further opportunities, but Barnes managed to hold out to half-time conceding a succession of penalties. 

A promising start to the second half from Scottish saw fail to convert good positions into points through knock-ons and penalties for holding on.  However, a big break from Mitchell finally brought three points through a Broughton penalty. Barnes responded in kind, but Broughton pushed the next penalty wide.  After several threatening breaks, Scottish at last secured their second try, with Broughton finishing off recycled ball from a Swales break and Bruce charge.  Broughton followed this with a strong run down the wing but retired injured from the full back’s tackle. 

Going into injury time, Scottish drove to within 5 metres, Eddington’s tap and go was stopped illegally, and Smart’s sweetly struck penalty inched Scottish ahead.   Then Smart’s drop kick sliced wide (a planned move?!), the Barnes winger failed to gather and Nauvaulou, on the wing in place of Broughton, swooped in for a try, well converted by Smart to tie up the game.

Team: 15. Charles Broughton; 14. Tom Mitchell, 13. Piers Gregory, 12. Adam Rice, 11. Joe Ash; 10. Rob Smart, 9. Alan Eddington;  8. Dan Beard, 7. Rowan Brown, 6. Scott Breerton, 5. Fitzpatrick , 4. Nick Taft; 3. Raynn Bruce, 2. Dan Leek, 1. Robin Kyle.

Replacements: 16. Scott Laird, 17 Gav Nauvaulou, 18. Rob Hartley, 19. Gareth Swales. 

Tries: Rice, Broughton, Nauvaulou; Cons: Broughton, Smart; Pens: Broughton 2, Smart.

Scoring sequence: 0-3 (17 mins), 3-3 (24), 10-3 (36), 17-3 (38), 17-10 (40+3); 17-13 (54), 20-13 (60), 20-18 (75), 20-21 (80+2), 20-28 (80+8). 

Conditions:  Hot, sunny and still.  Pitch perfect.

David Lamb

Chinnor II 7 London Scottish II 43 

On hot sunny autumnal afternoon, London Scottish travelled to Chinnor, on the fixture exchange, showing 10 changes from the previous weekends win at Southend, 8 enforced and 2 positional. New faces included Alan Eddington, Hein and Arno Van der Speke and the welcome return of “PJ” Tom Mitchell. Tensions were initially high as the team had not previously played together and were unsure of what to expect.   

Expertly led and directed by Steve Millard, London Scottish proceeded to dominate the opening exchanges, outmuscling and out-thinking their opponents with skills and fleetness of foot.  The back row of Breerton, Brown and Nauvoulu were winning the vast majority of ball and linking well with their midfield.  Breerton in particular showing no ill effects of the previous weeks “dead leg”. 

With a makeshift front row, Millard, Laird and Kyle set the tone for the afternoon by winning the first scrums against the head, providing a stable base for the back five to terrorise the home teams line.  The first try was not long in arriving.  A controlled line out on the home teams line was illegally bought down, Scots retained possession. A series of controlled drives mixing with Smart at fly half led to Hartley cantering under the posts unopposed, the score 0 - 5.   

The backs continued to find holes in the opposition defence with Joe Ash and Adam Rice combining effectively in the midfield.  The wings Mitchell and Avery were the main beneficiaries of this.  Avery especially punching large holes in the home defence, showing his power and speed, breaking out on many occasions from the visitors own 22.  On the other wing, Mitchell showed his strength in the tackle and in the important recovery of several kicks.   

Indeed it was Mitchell and Ash who combined well from the home teams 10m line to send in Rice to extend the scores to 0 – 10.  With the game barely 10 minutes old the tone had been set by the visitors for the remainder of the game. 

From the restart, Scots worked the ball well down the left flank, with Avery again prominent.  Laird was throwing well, finding his jumpers.  A middle ball led to the controlled drive that ended with A Van Der Speke emerging with the ball.  With the conversion this bought the scores to the 0 – 17.   

Further opportunities were squandered as Scots continued their dominance of the game but failing to capitalise on good approach play, Nauvoulu, especially going close on one occasion.  To great credit the home side with many young players in their ranks refused stubbornly to lie down.  Ably led by their 2^nd row, Chinnor occasionally threatened to break out, with cheeky darts from their fly half.  Scots defence at this stage was ably marshalled with Brown and Breerton in particular snuffing out 2^nd phase ball for the home side. 

Despite the dominance of territory, the visitors turned round at half time only 0 – 17 up, much credit to Chinnor’s defence and an increasing complacency in the visitors ranks.  At half time, the Van Der Spekes were the only change, with Mitchell swapping with Ash in the centres.  Hein continued where his brother left on, jumping well with support of the lifters in the lineout and winning at will the home teams throw.  The tone for the second half continued with Avery again showing his strength and pace to break out from his own 22 with slick inter-passing among the backs.  Dynamic in support both Millard and Brown were quick on Avery's shoulder with makeshift prop Kyle crashing over from close quarters on the left side.  The score now 0 – 22. 

Scots continued to dominate the game as the home team sought to break up the game through solid defence and clever kicking by their halfbacks.  Despite this Scots were able to manufacture a further try for Rob Hartley to crash over under the posts with several Chinnor players hanging on. The score now 0 – 29, with Lacey converting. 

The game entered a strange period, Heeks having throughout shown what a fantastic prospect he is at scrum half, marshalling the forwards and being abrasive throughout.  At this point, Scots were struggling to maintain patterns.  With one exception, with Nauvoulu and Heeks to the fore, ably supported by Breerton and Brown, Scots manufactured an opportunity in the midfield on their opponents 22.  Laird, prominent in the tight, ran from depth cutting a great angle from 4^th phase play, breaking through several attempted tackles on the gain line to run over virtually unopposed under the posts.  0 – 36. 

At this point the experienced Millard, who ably directed a makeshift side and been a rock in the tight, departed with a recurring knee injury as a precaution.  The game went to un-contested scrums and the game lost all shape with Scots unable to impose their physicality in the game.  This was a pity as the home side had an immensely strong young subbed on at half time who may have provided the Scots with a stern workout in the tight, which will be needed for the coming games against more vaunted opposition. 

To their credit, the home side used the uncontested scrums to their advantage and the game proceeded to break down without any discerning pattern.  The home side battered away at Scots line. The defence of Lacey, Ash, Rice and Mitchell remained strong as did the snuffling of loose ball by the breakaway trio in Scots back-row who often linked up, driving well in defence although occasionally getting isolated.  A long range effort was snuffed out from a desperate tackle from Nauvoulu who tracked back showing great speed and stamina.  

From the ensuing lineout, the home team continued with a series of drives, led ably by their young prop and the 2^nd row captain, which gained its due reward with a converted try.  The score was now 7 – 36. 

With Eddington on for the excellent Heeks, the new debutant marshalled the forwards and was hugely disappointed to receive a clash of heads requiring stitches and leading to the reintroduction of the young scrum half.  The gain continued with its loose pattern.   

Having been prompted by a home supporter in search of a straight footrace between the wings, Avery, with strength and pace, brushed aside would be tacklers silencing the home support.  The move initiated behind the posts with vision by Smart, who had ably controlled the game up to the departure of Millard.  The wing was eventually hauled down by the opposition, only for him to offload to the excellent Lacey, a rock all day under the high ball and in defence, who finished the footrace in Scots favour under the posts.  The score was 7 – 43, at which it would remain. 

The referee finished the game 8 minutes early.  An excellent performance by a new look 2^nd Xv, which Robbo and the team would have gladly taken before the game which also highlighted many areas of improvement for the visitors.  It was good to see the return of the Van Der Spekes, Mitchell from summer duties and the debut of the promising Eddington .  It would be difficult to pick out one player from the team as standing out as so many performed with great aplomb.  Mention should be made of the continuing improvement of Hartley who showed enthusiasm throughout and his ability to step up to the mark when asked.  However much will be needed for the troops to galvanise for the up and coming fixtures with Newbury, Glamorgan and Esher who will provide altogether sterner tests.  With the return of so many current and old players next week from holiday and injury, many difficult questions were asked by the players on Saturday which will provide the club with teasing dilemmas in selection. 

A draw was probably a fair result for an entertaining game. Scottish let a comfortable lead slip, gifted Blackheath three of their six tries, relieved by the posts keeping a Blackheath kick out and helping a Scottish kick over and thankful for an equalising score at the death. 

Scottish started well, dominating the first ten minutes.  A line-out, then scrum, five metres out provided the platform for a Taft pick up and Rice charge to put Fahey in under the posts.  A second score soon followed from quick possession moved wide to Hall, who did exceptionally well to take the ball high and behind him and showed good pace before passing inside to the supporting Beard for the try. 

Despite Scottish dominance at the scrummage, Blackheath came more into the game and their left winger scored after 17 minutes.  Blackheath continued to play in the Scottish half and came close to scoring twice, without Scottish appearing unduly concerned.  Towards the end of the half, Stack set Lacey off on a penetrating run to provide a good attacking position, which eventually brought a try by Millard after multiple interpassing between backs and forwards.  Scottish then had a great chance of a further try after a good run by man-of-the match Beard, but the lobbed final pass was intercepted. 

Blackheath started the second half briskly, and it took a great tackle from captain Brown to halt their first attack.  However, Blackheath established position in the Scottish 22 and made a try for their right winger, with the conversion hitting the post.  Scottish responded immediately with a strong break by Gregory putting Stack in for a try.  However, five minutes later Gregory’s midfield chip was intercepted and the Blackheath right wing collected another try.  A couple of minutes later the same winger made 70 m as Blackheath ran the ball out from behind their line, and then their opposite winger lost control of the ball in touching down.  The Scottish clearance kick went straight to the right winger, who ran the ball back for the Blackheath forwards to maul over for a try. 

Scottish reasserted forward control and kicked two penalties to regain the lead. Then, Hall, who had changed positions with Smart, cut clean through with support, but what looked a certain Scottish try ended up as seven points for Blackheath.  Hall took on the last defender five metres out instead of passing, Blackheath kicked clear, Stack failed to gather and Blackheath swooped on the loose ball, handing on to their winger to score at the other end. 

Hall brought Scottish level with a penalty in off the post, but Scottish went behind again a couple of minutes later as Gregory’s pass was intercepted by the Blackheath right wing for his fourth try.  Scottish made a determined effort to rescue a result and looked to have scored in the corner, but the referee adjudged that Lacey had knocked the ball on in touching down.  Three minutes later, with the last play of the game, Scottish secured the draw they deserved with Stack cutting through the middle for a try under the posts. 

Team: 15. Stack; 14. Hall, 13. Gregory, 12. Rice, 11. Lacey; 10. Smart, 9. Heeks;  8. Taft, 7. Brown, 6. Breerton, 5. Beard, 4. Hartley; 3. Fahey, 2. Kyle, 1. Millard. 

Replacements: 16. Navaulou.  

Tries: Fahey, Beard, Millard, Stack 2; Cons: Smart, Hall; Pen: Hall 2, Stack. 

Scoring sequence: 7-0 (4 mins), 12-0 (10), 12-5 (17), 17-5 (38); 17-10 (45), 22-10 (47), 22-17 (52), 22-24 (61), 25-24 (66), 28-24 (68), 28-31 (70), 31-31 (73), 31-38 (75), 38-38 (80). 

Conditions:  Warm and sunny with breeze.  Pitch perfect.