London Scottish succumbed to their 9th defeat of the Championship season against Ampthill at Dillingham Park. Despite a fast start against a side that the Exiles have never won against, superior use of conditions and greater accuracy on the ball was enough to see the home side claim a bonus point victory.

After torrential rainfall throughout the week and on Saturday morning the sun had poked through come kick off on a remarkably dry Dillingham Park which would suit both sides’ running rugby intentions.

London Scottish came out the blocks faster taking advantage of early Ampthill errors and finding good field position. The Exiles went through the phases well and tested the defence before Alec Lloyd-Seed spotted the gap and found his way to the line.

Very shortly after, Harry Sheppard nailed a beautiful 50/22 to give his side a 5m line out. The forward duly delivered with the maul and Tom Marshall flopped over for the try to give his side a 12-0 lead after just 8 minutes.

However, from then on in very little went right of the Exiles. Multiple handling errors and infringement around the ruck granted Ampthill scoring opportunities into the wind. They would take two of these in the first half thanks to a wonderful crossfield kick and a strong driving maul to see their side go in 14-12 ahead.

Turning round into the wind, London Scottish failed to manage the conditions as well as their opponents. With the home side pinning the Exiles in their own 22 and Scottish unable to execute accurately much of the game was spent with Scottish under pressure.

As a result Ampthill continued to turn the screw throughout the half running in three tries against a gallant London Scottish defence which kept their opponents at bay for much of the match. However, spending that long in their own half took it’s toll in the end.

London Scottish host Doncaster Knights next as they look to find that illusive win following many close games in a row before a trip to Nottingham for a rescheduled fixture from earlier in the season.