Match Report: London Scottish Lions B’s vs Belsize Park 3rd XV
Middlesex Merit Premier – Round 7
The Hub, Regent’s Park
Saturday 29 November – KO 14:00
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The Lions B’s arrived at Regent’s Park on a bright, chilly afternoon aiming to extend their unbeaten run and maintain pressure at the top of the Middlesex Merit Premier. Instead, they left The Hub with their first defeat of the season, edged out 19–17 by a strengthened Belsize Park outfit—but crucially taking home a vital losing bonus point that could prove pivotal in the title race against league leaders Rosslyn Park 4th XV.
From the opening whistle, it was clear this was no ordinary Belsize Park 3rd XV. With their 2nd XV not playing, the home side fielded several higher-level reinforcements—confirmed by a former Belsize player now wearing Lions colours. Even so, given their form, depth, and expectation standards, the Lions B’s still believed they should win.
A strong start, a hard fight
Like two boxers testing range in the early rounds, both sides came out firing. The collisions were heavy, the tempo high, and neither team willing to give an inch. The deadlock broke after just seven minutes when Sebastian Kennett finished a well-worked move to put the B’s ahead 5–0.
The next twenty minutes were a fierce stalemate, marked by big tackles, turnover battles, and long periods of midfield attrition. Eventually, on 30 minutes, the Lions B’s found their rhythm. Quick hands released Cameron McMillan, who finished superbly in the corner. From the touchline, Angus Clogg struck a beautiful conversion to extend the lead to 12–0.
But Belsize struck back almost immediately, scoring on 32 minutes to narrow the gap to 12–5. Despite pressure late in the half, the B’s held firm and entered the break ahead—but knowing they had work to do.
Second half: A dream start, then a grind
At halftime the message was clear: impose structure, tighten detail, and take control. But the visitors’ ambitions collided with a Belsize side who refused to fade.
Just two minutes into the second half, Ross Currie produced a moment of pure individual class. Spotting a sliver of space, he darted through the line, selling the final defender with a deft dummy before dotting down in the corner. It was the ideal start, stretching the lead to 17–5, and the Lions B’s—judging by how previous games had gone—could have expected to accelerate from here.
But this opposition was different. Belsize absorbed pressure, grew in confidence, and began grinding their way back. On 60 minutes they scored again, converting to make it 17–12 and set up a tense final quarter.
A decisive choice—and a decisive finish
In the final quarter, the Lions B’s were awarded a kickable penalty. A successful kick would have pushed the lead to 20–12. But confident in their maul and seeking a decisive blow, they gambled and went for the corner – unfortunately for the B’s they didn’t convert the decision into points, instead Belsize kicked the ball clear, which would prove decisive come the final whistle.
In the dying moments, Belsize launched one final surge, eventually breaking through for a try to level the match 17–17. Their kicker, calm under pressure, struck the conversion cleanly to put the home side ahead 19–17 with less than a minute on the clock.
From the restart the B’s threw everything at the ball, bodies straining and lungs burning, but Belsize secured possession and kicked it dead to end the contest.
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Perspective, frustration, and what comes next
On another day, this might have gone the B’s way. They showed heart, physicality, and moments of brilliance—but were ultimately undone by a combination of Belsize’s quality, a few key moments, and the fine margins that define tight encounters.
Given the context of the wider season, the losing bonus point may yet prove vital. Heading into a huge clash with league leaders Rosslyn Park 4th XV next weekend, the equation is simple: win, and deny Park a bonus point, and the Lions B’s return to top spot.
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Tries: Sebastian Kennett (7’), Cameron McMillan (30’), Ross Currie (42’)
Conversions: Angus Clogg (31’)
Man of the Match: Ross Arthur – relentless at the breakdown, tireless in defence, and a leader throughout.
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Saturday 06 December
Next up for the Lions, all 3x team are in action:
Lions vs Bracknell (H)
– Venue: King’s House Sports Ground (W4 2SH)
– KO: 14:00
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Lions B’s vs Rosslyn Park 4th XV (A)
– Venue: Rossyln Park RFC (SW15 5JH)
– KO: 14:00
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C Lions vs Hackney 2nd XV (A)
– Venue: Hackney RFC (E5 9BL)
– KO: 14:00
