The London Scottish boys, representing the Junior Lions, enjoyed a winning start to their LV Cup campaign, in a tightly fought away fixture at Harrow RFC.
The team are in a mini league along with Barnet, Ruislip and Ealing so an away win was an important first step in the competition.
For the first twenty minutes both teams struggled to threaten the opposition line due mainly to some good defence. However, it was the Scottish boys that made the first incisive move of the game. A well taken line-out was caught and the forwards drove the Harrow team back into their own 22. The expectation was that the drive would continue, but fly-half Iain called for the ball and an inside pass allowed Fergus to make ground and then put Harry in under the posts. Fergus duly converted for a 0-7 score-line.
Scottish looked to be in control of the game but could not manage to secure a second score. A series of penalties and some good counter-rucking from the Harrow forwards meant the Scottish play lacked real continuity. It was Harrow that levelled proceedings on the stroke of half-time. A sumptuous off-load from a double tackle by the Harrow inside centre, created the space for an equalising score.
Five minutes into the second half and Harrow took the lead. The Scottish boys temporarily stopped for a knock-on that wasn't given and this allowed Harrow to sprint clear and score for a 12-7 lead.
With twenty minutes to go it was the Scottish team that looked the most threatening. A series of breaks from forwards and backs alike, put the Harrow team under pressure. The pressure eventually told and Raphael managed to finish off a good period of pressure by skirting round the opposition and run in for a try near to the posts. Fergus converted again to re-take the lead. 12-14.
Scottish gained confidence and showed some excellent handling, threatening on two or three occasions and by now the team were running some good support lines and this allowed for a series of off-loads that even had the Harrow coaches praising the play. With the game nearing the close a final break by Ross created space for second-row, Ka-cie, who brilliantly out-sprinted the cover for the winning score.
Man of the match: Ryan Jones
GIRLS RUGBY UPDATE
The girls had the opportunity to train at the RWC2015 Fanzone in Old Deer Park with their cluster club Old Emmanuel on the 25th of October, the day of the Australia v Argentina semi-final. It was a successful day and the group enjoyed being part of the Rugby World Cup festivities.
Their next game is away at Grasshoppers on the 8th of November followed by County involvement for some.
U14s UPDATE
The squad is continuing to grow in confidence and their 43-0 win v Finchley and another win against Weybridge Vandals. Their next friendly is Sunday the 8th of November at home against Reeds Weybridge.
U16s UPDATE
The players got a good league win away to Bishop Stortford making in 2 from 2 so far in the league this season. This Sunday they play their annual fixture against Teddington at the RAG followed by another friendly against Ealing next week.
U17s UPDATE
The players have not played a league game yet but many of them were involved in the Junior Academy win v Harrow and this Sunday the LV U18 Cup away to Barnet should again include a large number from the squad. Another friendly next week against Esher will help prepare them to start their league campaign against Wasps away on the 29th of November.
Any new players that want to join Scottish’s girls and junior rugby can contact us on playrugby@londonscottish.com
