Match Report: Wimbledon RFC vs London Scottish Lions
Regional 1 South Central – Round 3
Wimbledon RFC, Beverley Meads
Saturday 20 September 2025
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The Lions secured their second win of the Regional 1 South Central campaign with a determined, bonus-point victory away to Wimbledon, overcoming early setbacks to run out 20–12 winners in front of a large and vocal travelling support.
First Half – Wimbledon strike early
With conditions overcast and a stiff breeze sweeping across Beverley Meads, it was the home side who made the stronger start. Their scrum looked sharp in the opening exchanges, while Scottish had to be at their best to hold parity in the set piece.
Wimbledon used the wind intelligently, pinning the Lions back deep in their half. After a series of phases, they eventually found a gap and crossed for the first try on 12 minutes, adding the conversion to lead 7–0.
Scottish looked to respond with direct running from the forwards, carrying hard and driving play deep into Wimbledon territory. However, a costly turnover allowed the hosts to clear their lines, and just minutes later they struck again. A sweeping wide attack stretched the Lions defence, and Wimbledon finished well to move 12–0 ahead after 25 minutes.
Lions hit back before half-time
The tide began to turn at the set piece as the Lions’ scrum clawed back momentum. A penalty gave Aaron McLelland the chance to kick into the corner, and from there the lineout became a reliable attacking platform. The rolling maul made good ground, putting the home defence under serious pressure.
Scrum-half Nick Hill marshalled his forwards well, and after repeated phases of attack it was skipper Mark Bright who dived over from close range in the 36th minute. Hill unfortunately couldn’t add the extras, and the Lions went into half-time trailing just 12–5 — a significant confidence boost given they had played into the wind.
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Second Half – Lions patience pays off
With the elements now in their favour, the Lions began the second half strongly. Hill’s game management and McLelland’s territorial kicking pinned Wimbledon back, while flankers Cormac McCracken and Ben Lowick led a ferocious defensive effort to repel the home side’s attempts to play wide.
For the opening 20 minutes after the restart neither side could find a breakthrough, but the Lions looked increasingly dangerous in possession. Fresh legs, including Joe Emson, added spark in attack, and the set piece began to dominate.
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute. Sustained pressure on the Wimbledon line stretched the defence, and fullback Angus Clogg finished clinically to make it 12–10. Hill’s conversion attempt drifted wide, but the momentum was firmly with the visitors.
Lions deliver the knockout blows
With time running down, the Lions refused to panic. They continued to build pressure through territory, lineout drives and hard carries. On 76 minutes, the reward came: a lineout catch-and-drive powered 12 metres forward, and Chris Rolfe grounded for one of his trademark maul tries. The Lions had taken the lead for the first time in the match at 15–12.
Three minutes later, the victory — and the bonus point — were sealed in style. McLelland, who had been probing all game, found space 25 metres out and darted through with a superb solo effort to score under the posts. The score sparked jubilant celebrations on and off the pitch, with the Lions now 20–12 ahead and closing in on maximum points.
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Full Time – A statement win
The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought victory for the Lions, whose patience, composure, and growing dominance at the set piece turned the game on its head. Wimbledon had started strongly, but were gradually suffocated by the Lions’ defensive steel and attacking precision.
The bonus-point win moves the Lions further up the table and ensures they keep pace with the early frontrunners in Regional 1 South Central.
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Tries: Mark Bright (36’), Angus Clogg (61’), Chris Rolfe (76’), Aaron McLelland (79’)
MotM: Nick Hill, for his composure, leadership, and control of the game throughout.
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Saturday 27 September
Next up for the Club, 2x away games for the Lions B’s and C Lions, and a rest weekend for the Lions:
Lions B’s vs Old Streetonians 2s (A)
– Venue: Old Streetonians RFC (E9 5PF)
– KO: 15:00 (TBC)
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C Lions vs Thamesians ‘Spartans’ 2nd XV (A)
– Venue: Waldegrave Rd, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham (TW1 4SX)
– PLEASE NOTE, this is different from the Thamesians’ clubhouse on Twickenham Green (TW2 5TU) – read more about this on the Thamesians’ website
– KO: 15:00 (TBC)
