On a sunny but chilly January day, Scottish kicked off playing towards the sports club end of the ground. The team contained a number of changes, with Scotland 7s player Mark Robertson debuting on the wing and Wasps dual-registered centre Mitchell Tamiau, who is registered with Scottish this season, but broke his ankle in pre-season training starting in the centres. The other changes saw prop Nic Auterec coming in for Anthony Kent, and flanker Ben Lonergan replacing the injured Anthony Andrews.

In the opening stages of the match, Scottish took play to the visitors and early in the match second row Alex Karonias found himself out on the right flank with space. Karonias made great yardage down the flank driving into the Plymouth 22 metre area. The ball was eventually switched to the backs who then threatened down the opposite flank, however, the referee penalised the Albion side for offside immediately in front of the visitors posts. Fly half Dan Mugford converted to give Scottish an early lead. Plymouth immediately came back and the put the Scottish defence under a sustained period of pressure as their forwards re-cycled the ball a number of times, however they knocked on 5 metres short of the Scottish try line.

Scottish scored their first try on the 13^th minute when they were awarded a penalty try. The Scottish backs moved the ball quickly through hands down the right side of the pitch. As winger Agustin Gosio was about to touch down in the corner the covering Plymouth centre Bevon Armitage high tackled Gosio preventing him from scoring the try. The referee consulted his assistant referee and awarded a penalty try. Armitage was yellow carded to spend the required time minutes on the sidelines. Mugford converted from immediately in front of the posts to put Scottish 10 - 0 ahead. Plymouth were shortly after awarded a penalty at the scrum and the prolific points scoring full back James Love pulled his first attempt wide of the posts. As the game moved into the second quarter Scottish began to dominate and was putting the Albion defence under pressure through barn storming runs through players such as hooker Tom Stanfield. As the Scottish backs were pressing just outside the visitors 22 metre area and were creating an overlap, the Albion centre Keni Fisilau shoulder tackled Tamiau without using his arms, knocking the ball loose. The assistant referee flagged for foul play and Scottish were awarded a penalty with Mugford converting to put the home side 13 - 0 up. Tamiau went off injured as a result of the tackle.

Just after the half hour mark Scottish scored their second try following a quick tap and go penalty by scrum half Simon Amor. As he made ground into the Albion half he passed to winger Mark Robertson who continued with the attack and as he closed in on the try line he off loaded to centre Ryan Western who scored in the corner. Mugford missed the conversion attempt. Scottish were now clearly in the driving seat and as play moved towards the half time break, Scottish added a further score through a penalty after the away side were penalised for going through illegally at a ruck. Mugford added to his personal tally by giving Scottish a commanding 21 - 0 half time lead.

Whatever was said to the Albion side at the half time break it certainly worked wonders as they came out for the second half all guns blazing. Albion reduced the arrears on the 45^th minute when Scottish were caught offside deep in their 22 metre area defending a visitors attack. Love converted. On the 54^th minute Plymouth was pounding away at the Scottish try line through a series of drives off the back of the ruck. The Scottish defence held firm and the home side were able to turn the ball over and the backs ran the ball through hands with the ball being eventually being kicked down field. The Albion winger Tyson Lewis knocked on as the chasing Scottish players were closing in on him taking play 60 metres down field. Plymouth finally got their first try of the match on the 67^th minute when following a sustained period of pressure by their forwards on the Scottish try line, replacement prop Luke Dickie-Cowan dived over to score. Love converted to leave the score 21 - 10. The away side were clearly sensing blood and scored their second try of the match 6 minutes later when replacement forward Aaron Carpenter scored out wide with Love converting to reduce the lead to 4 points.

Full credit to the Scottish defence who in the final five minutes of the match resolutely held firm to grind out the victory. In similar circumstances in other matches this season, Scottish have conceded last minute penalties or try's denying Scottish other wins, and therefore the team showed tremendous character in achieving this win. This victory took Scottish above Moseley in the league to 9^th position, however more importantly it earned the club another bonus point for the end of season play offs. In a match, which showcased the best and worst parts of being a London Scottish follower this season, the team can take great heart from the fact that they have now won three out of their last four matches. Sometimes you just have to win ugly and this was certainly a case in point. The team is creating momentum and can now look forward to visiting Bedford next weekend. Look out for the match preview later in the week.

Nic Auterec was awarded the First Cape Wines sponsored Man of the Match award.

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