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| 11th November | ||
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Effingham U15s 25 London Scottish 22 The match started with Effingham very much in the ascendancy, scoring within the first 5 minutes of play. For those of us spectators who remembered last year, the warning signs were on the wall with there scrum having much the better of the rucks and mauls (0-5) However, George following a big tackle was able to hack on pick up the loose ball and break away to score with three defenders in hot pursuit (7-5) Given the open nature of both teams wanting to use their backs, the game ebbed and flowed with neither team being able to gain the advantage. Their flyhalf appeared intent upon chipping over our backs into space, but was often poor in his execution. However they eventually scored a converted try again following pressure from their forwards (7-12). Scottish responded in excellent style and Robbie was able to score a try which he was able to convert (14-12). Effingham responded with another score (14-17), but just before half time Robbie again forced his way over in the left hand corner but was unable to convert (19-17). The game was in the balance all the way through the 2nd half without either side really looking like scoring. Following a desperate attempt at a tackle, Robbie was forced to retire from the play with a strained back. Cameron moved from Prop to the unfamiliar position of hooker but with very little time left the Effingham forwards, following a lineout near the try line, were again able to drive their way over in the left hand corner (19-22). Whether it was disappointment at conceding the try, or that they felt the try should have been disallowed, Bradley and Patrick did an excellent job of refocusing the team on attempting to restore the lead in the 5 minutes left. However, despite their valiant attempts they possible lacked sufficient composure to score the vital try. |
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| 4th November | ||
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Harrow U15s 17
London Scottish 60
Scottish resumed their
attacks straight from the kick off and after a great run from George
M they were awarded a penalty from which Robbie scored his second
and the teams third try which he also converted 17 – 7.The Scottish
pack was clearly in the ascendency and after pinching a number of
scrums and line outs they gained another scrum against the head the
ball Jonathan Clelland |
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| 14th October | ||
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LONDON SCOTTISH U15 55 ENFIELD U15 10
The first league match of the season witnessed a dominant performance by Scottish which yielded 9 tries in a 55-10 won over the visitors from north London.
The team got off to an unsettling start when lock forward George Merrick was not allowed to take the field until he had changed his studs! So the team took the field with 14 men for the first quarter of an hour. Remarkably, they dominated the territory but were unable to convert the pressure into points. Once restored to their full complement, however, they won a scrum on the left, moved the ball wide, played up the blind side from the ruck with Bradley dummying his way through. They then moved the ball to the other side of the field where good tackling from Enfield seemed to end the attack but strong counter- rucking from Scottish allowed them to regain possession and from this ruck scrum half Billy Harding sniped up the blind side, chipped ahead and dived on the ball for the opening score.
More strong rucking turned over Enfield ball and a dummy and step by Charlie put him in the clear to run 50m to score at the posts and making the conversion easy for Robbie to take them to a 12-0 lead. This score was followed by fine play from a tap penalty from which George made inroads into the defence, the quick ruck ball was moved along the back line taking play into the Enfield 22 before being bundled into touch. From the ensuing line out Scottish stole the Enfield throw in, Robbie, Paddy and Bradley inter-passed before moving the ball out along the back line for George Fowles to score behind the posts.
Credit to Enfield, they stemmed the tide and worked their way downfield to the Scottish 22 and from a centre-field scrum their powerful No8 picked up and ran strongly through 3 tackles to score in the corner and reduce the arrears to 19-5. Scottish responded promptly by stealing another line out, Quinton drove hard in the centre, the ball was quickly recycled and popped to George Merrick who ran 50m to bring the half time score to 26pts – 5pts.
The second half began in much the same vain as the first, with Scottish pressing hard. Severe pressure on the Enfield ball carriers and strong counter-rucking turned over possession and allowed Robbie to barrel over from close range, and convert his own try, 33pts – 5pts. Enfield launched an assault on the Scottish line but they were repelled by determined defence and again the aggression in the tackling forced a turn over. Billy kicked from scrum half, a good chase by George Fowles and George Merrick kept the ball alive and the latter ran 40m to score. Back came Enfield but the altitude in the Scottish line out proved a thorn in the flesh for them as another line out was lost, Bradley drove down the middle, quick ball and the ball was sent out to the wing for George Fowles to score again, and stretch the lead to 43-5.
A free kick to Scottish saw the ball moved down the line for Robbie to add to his tally and again convert his try from wide out on the left. At this point Billy Harding left the field injured which led to some reorganisation of the team. At the next scrum the ball broke loose, Enfield were first to react and ran 40m to score. But Scottish were to have the last moment in the spotlight when Enfield box kicked from a scrum, the Scottish backs worked hard to get behind the catcher and launched a counter attack which ended with George Fowles going over in the corner to round off a fine team performance with a convincing 55pts-10pts victory. Well done players and coaches alike!
photos http://londonscottishunder14.spaces.live.com/
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| 23rd September 2007 | friendly | |
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Reading Abbey U15 12 London Scottish
U15 19 After the high scoring, previous two games it was felt that what ‘Scottish’ needed was a good hard, competitive game to get a feel for how productive the excellent pre-season training had been in preparing the team for the challenge of the new 2007/8 season. As I sat soaking up the pre-match atmosphere drinking the first coffee of the day my attention is drawn to a group of would be combatants preparing to go into battle, they appear to be of the U15 age group so I take time to assess their potential. I am impressed by their drills and warm-up routine, this bodes well for the hoped for contest. As I pessimistically contemplate the possibility of what lay ahead my attention is transferred to a the ’Scottish’ lads also going through a well practised and diligently performed routine and any pessimistic concerns are consigned to the ’Pending Tray’ and I am again filled with confidence that we can offer a good hard game for any team that ventures to accept the invitation to do battle with London Scottish. Training gear removed and Team colours donned the players take to the pitch and the immediate perception after kick-off is that the two teams are both out to show the other just what they are capable of. The fixture last season ended in a win for ‘Scottish’ and Abbey seemed determined to reverse the result this time out. Strong play from both sets of forwards is matched by equally robust defence, but ’Scottish’ make the early break through and after 7 mins (No8: add name please) scores a well worked try. The game continues at a furious pace and bodies are being put to the test, the effort and level of team work is very encouraging and we find ourselves most definitely in a game that will test resolve and stamina, just what was ordered! The Team ethic is apparent in the ‘Scottish’ play and good rucking and mauling is enabling ball to be passed out to the ¾ line and some good expansive rugby is being played, this is soon rewarded with an excellent try from the right winger, George, on 28 mins, the try is converted by Robbie with his normal aplomb. This by no means meant that Abby had relented and their efforts were re-doubled and justly rewarded with a try on 32 mins which was converted. The whistle blew to enable the first half exertions to be assessed and second half tactics conveyed to the lads by Boxy. The second half commences with Sam on for Kyle, and the battle is re-convened where it was left off with every man on both sides playing his part in what is developing into a keenly fought battle of attrition and the wounded were dropping from both sides but with swift attention from the ever present Anne-Marie with her medical ’magic’ play is soon re-engaged. But unfortunately Bradley sustained a heavy blow to his midriff and complaining of sever pain it was deemed necessary to summon the assistance of the local Ambulance service as a precautionary measure. Bradley’s demise left ’Scottish’ reduced to 14, and now things are about to get good fun! Fun is what the lads are here for and each and every player steps up to the mark, excellent defence, as this is primarily a rearguard action, is repelling the invigorated Abbey. Some adrenalin enthused tackling and good old fashioned hard work, is rewarded when on 55 mins George breaks through and scores another try, slightly against the run of play, duly converted by Robbie thus rubbing salt in the oppositions wound. Reduced in numbers and fighting for pride the ‘Scottish’ line is eventually breach and Abby score a try on 70 mins. The final whistle blows and the spoils to the victors for concurrent years with a score of 19 - 12 to London Scottish. The war over and both sides shake hands and applaud each others efforts in what was an excellent game. Teamwork n. the combined action of a team, group, etc, esp. when effective and efficient. Well played ‘Scottish’ an example that teamwork, first and foremost is what it is all about.
Simon Fowles |
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| 16th September 2007 | friendly | |
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Cranleigh 0 London Scottish Under 15s 72 Arrvial at the Cranleigh club was somewhat staggered by a number of parents having difficulty in locating the site. First indications that the fixture could be somewhat one sided came when we found out that the opposition only had 14 players available and it was only there second weekend back in training from a summer break. From the kick off London Scottish immediately took the initiative and following a drive by the forwards it was left to Billy to score near to the touch line and leave Robbie with a difficult conversion which he failed to make. A few minutes later a poor clearing kick from Cranleigh was fielded by Robbie who burst through the opposition line to score under the posts followed by an easy conversion. Given the imbalance of the sides and the fact that Cranleigh only had 7 forwards it was decided that at the scrums Billy would be withdrawn and join the backs. From a scrum on the 25m line on the right, the ball came to Billy standing in the fly half position who duely burst through the Cranleigh defence to score under the posts. Again this was converted by Robbie. A short while later, with the forwards being urged to get the ball back to the three-quarters as often as possible, Chris made a half break through the Cranleigh back division. The ball was quickly recycled by the forwards for Billy to score once again under the posts. The pressure was continued and Robbie gathered the ball on the halfway line to round the Cranleigh defence and score yet another try, which this time he failed to convert. From the sidelines it was not possible to ascertain if anything was said about Billy and Robbie hogging the scoring, but from a lineout on the left of the pitch, the ball is transferred down the line for Chris to score near the right hand touchline. George had been showing impressive form on the left wing, and a few minutes later he fly-hacked through following a Cranleigh mistake and the ball after a number of further touches bounced nicely into his hands for another try. A few minutes later and on the stroke of half time, the ball is passed efficiently down the line for George to have sufficient room to outpace and go outside his opposite number on the wing and score under the posts for Robbie to convert, leaving the half-time score as 48-0 to London Scottish. The Cranleigh boys should be given credit for not giving up on a lost cause and be willing to carry on the game for a second half. From a tapped penalty, the ball is fed down the line to Finlay on the right wing, who repeats Georges performance and rounds his opposite number to score under the posts for yet another converted try. The Cranleigh restart then goes straight into the hands of George who runs through the opposition to score a try which remains unconverted. Charlie who has looked dangerous at full back all match then gets the opportunity he deserved when he was able to cut back on the angle to score under the posts for Robbie to convert. The final action of the game again saw the forwards dominate their opposition, when Robbie burst clear, after being backed up by a number of forwards it looked as though Paul was about to score, when he was held up just short of the line. However a number of quick off-loads between the forwards resulted in Charlie being able to score unopposed on the left near the touch line. Despite the 12 tries being scored by just a few players, there were a number of very good performances from players such as Wade and George in the forwards who were always looking dangerous on the break and producing good forward momentum for the other players around them. From the score line the game appears and was somewhat one-sided, but Cranleigh had a few moments of their own and on one or two occasions a good defensive effort was required and produced. |
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| 9th September 2007 | friendly | |
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London Scottish 71 Luton 13 The first game of the season after a long summer of training is always an occasion that players look forward to. This friendly fixture, played in three 20minutes periods, allowed players and coaches to assess how much had been achieved and what remains to be done before the first league game. The home side kicked off and immediately exerted pressure on Luton forcing a knock on, flanker Billy Harding picked up the loose ball, fed on to the hooker Robbie Patterson who scored and converted. A series of good drives and offloads led to the second try of the match scored by the right wing, Paul, and Robbie converted superbly from wide out on the left. Luton then launched a series of attacks as Scottish were penalised for not retreating but solid defence allowed them to clear their line. Further indiscipline led to more penalties and Luton kicked the 3pts. From the restart a good attack took the play to Luton’s line but a pass was dropped, a kick and chase followed and Scottish had to defend their line hard to repel the Luton attack. The next score came from a scrum on the right, a dummy run from the blind side wing, a switch between fly half and centre, the forwards picked up and drove resulting in flanker, Bradley, wriggling over to score. The last score of the period came from a scrum against the head. Some very good inter passing between backs and back row saw left wing, George involved in the move twice, before scoring in the left corner. Thus at the first break the scoreboard read London Scottish 31pts Luton 3pts. The second period saw changes to the team made by the coaches, but the outcome was much the same. From the kick off, Robbie made a strong break, the forwards produced quick ruck ball, George Merrick picked up and ran 30m to score between the posts. Another successful conversion for Robbie. Luton mounted another sustained attack but they were met with spirited defence. Scottish lifted the siege by stealing a Luton line out. A strong run from Billy was supported by centre Andy who jinked his way to the line from 35m. Robbie did the honours with the conversion. The forwards had the bit between their teeth now and counter rucked aggressively to turn over Luton possession wide out on the right. Good passing from the backs released Andy on the left wing who was shoulder barged into touch in the act of scoring so a penalty try was awarded. The score at the second interval was 52pts – 3pts. From the start of the final period, good ruck ball, a strong run from Billy down the left, a good wide pass to George on the wing who ran hard showing good footwork then an inside pass to Billy to score the opening try of the final period. Luton responded well with a series of drives by their forwards which resulted in an attacking 5m scrum. They moved the ball wide, and their left wing ran strongly to score in the corner despite some brave cover defence. At the resulting kick off Billy pressured the catcher, the ball was spilled Robbie drew on his dribbling skills to control the ball over the line an added the conversion from wide out on the right. He followed this up with another try and conversion after some very good wide play by Scottish. Despite the score, Luton did not let their heads drop and finished the game strongly with a series of forward drives. Eventually they moved the ball wide to their left to score the final try of the day to make the final score London Scottish 71pts Luton 13pts. The one disappointment of the day was the ankle injury sustained by Karl who had just come on in the second period. We wish him well and hope that it is not too serious and won’t keep him out of the game for too long. photos - http://londonscottishunder14.spaces.live.com/
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