Match Report: London Scottish Lions 36–26 Bracknell
Regional 1 South Central – Round 11
King’s House Sports Ground
Saturday 6 December, 14:00 KO
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London Scottish Lions closed out the first half of the Regional 1 South Central season with a hard-earned 36–26 victory over a strong Bracknell outfit, securing their place in second in the league table ahead of next weekend’s monumental clash away to unbeaten leaders Jersey RFC.
The win was built on resilience, clinical finishing, and standout performances across the pitch — none more so than Man of the Match Aaron McLelland, who delivered a commanding display in testing conditions.
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After an ultimately successful trip to Parson’s Green the previous Saturday, the Lions were pleased to be back home at King’s House to take on mid-table Bracknell. Captain Joe Emson returned from injury to get some minutes off the bench, while Byron Leach came back into the second row.
Your correspondent likes to imagine Head Coach Lee Cholewa issuing pre-game instructions to a quiet and nervous changing room, much like Sir Alex Ferguson. “Keep it tight early lads”. “Get on the front foot early”. And so on. Unfortunately things didn’t go to Cholly’s plan, as two phases of play from the kick off saw the Lions lose Finlay Hillicks to a serious looking knee injury, and then go 7-0, down as Bracknell took advantage of free play to break down the left wing and score close to the posts. Joe Emson was going to get the minutes he hoped for. All 79 of them!
The game struggled to find a pattern as a series of penalties from both teams, mainly for high tackles, interrupted the flow. 17 minutes into the game the Lions mounted an attack that looked to be going across the pitch until full back Harry Churchill straightened the line beautifully to break for a score which he then converted. Shortly afterwards, Fabian Thwaites carried hard into the biggest Bracknell forward he could find. Fabian somehow managed to keep going forward, and the tackle was joined by Mick Baldock. Baldy ripped the ball, and found himself in the backfield, with only 40 long metres in front of him. The suggestion that he was running backwards by the time he clattered into the post and dove over the line isn’t quite correct, but he admitted afterwards he was blowing! 14-7 to the Lions, with the Bracknell player yellow carded for a high tackle on Fabian.
The Lions’ momentum was slowed as Lachie Lowick, no doubt feeling bruised after being shunted into the back row from his “usual” position of 12, received a yellow card for a high shot on the smallest Bracknell player on the field. As HT approached, the Lions were building pressure in the Bracknell 22, and captain Joe Emson broke through a couple of tackles to score. The cross bar got in the way of Harry Churchill’s conversion, but the Lions were up 19-7.
Fly half Aaron McLelland was looking back to his best form despite the difficult cross wind, and as the game opened up he made a trade mark outside break before accelerating to the line from nearly as far out as Baldy. Aaron covered the distance somewhat quicker and more easily than Baldy, with the unconnected try making the score 24-7 to the Lions at the half.
The second half started much like the first, as two tries to Bracknell either side of a team yellow card awarded to Frank Scott tightened the match up at 24-19. The response from the Lions was near instant, as Bracknell fumbled the kick off. A couple of phases after the ensuing scrum Cameron Wray cut his classic out to in line to beat the Bracknell defence and go under the posts. Hopefully Granny Wray was watching the live stream to see another try for her boy! Churchill converted, and the Lions again had some breathing space at
31-19.
As the clock ticked down, the Lions continued to press for another score, and following some catches and drives in the left hand corner, hooker Chris Rolfe forced his way over from about 40cm following a strong carry from Byron Leach. Nick Hill, kicking in place of the substituted Churchill, pushed the conversion wide. Bracknell then had the final say, scoring wide on the Lions’ right, with the well taken conversion being the last kick of the game.
A deserved win for the Lions, and although Bracknell secured a four-try bonus point, London Scottish moved into second place in the league table at the halfway stage — setting up a huge top-of-the-table clash against unbeaten Jersey RFC next weekend.
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Tries: Harry Churchill (17’), Michael Baldock (23’), Joe Emson (38’), Aaron McLelland (41’), Cameron Wray (61’), Christopher Rolfe (73’)
Conversions: Harry Churchill x3 (18’, 24’, 62’)
MotM: Aaron McLelland
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Saturday 13 December
Next up for the Lions, two teams away in Jersey:
Lions vs Jersey (A)
– Regional 1 South Central – Round 12
– Venue: Jersey RFC (JE3 7BG)
– KO: 14:00 (TBC)
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Lions B’s vs Jersey 2nd XV(A)
– Friendly
– Venue: Jersey RFC (JE3 7BG)
– KO: TBC
