The London Scottish Senior Academy took on the Army A at their headquarters in Aldershot on Tuesday February 10.

The Rampant Lions team had a mix of Academy and 1st team squad players for what is always a good physical test.

The game started well for Scottish controlling territory and possession resulting in the Army A giving away a number penalties due to the continuous pressure.

An early first half driving maul from an attacking London Scottish lineout was illegally stopped on the line which could have been worth the full seven points.

The kickable penalty was converted by fly-half Harvey Young.

Not long after Scottish had an attacking scrum on half way with Alex Brown picking from the base to feed centre, Charlie Dockery, making his return after a long injury layoff.

He cut through a gap running a good attacking line and making 30 metres.

However he failed to see fellow centre Mike Doneghan on the outside that could’ve been another seven pointer but the Army went offside from the resulting ruck and Young took the three points on offer.

The Army’s scrum was put under a lot of difficulty in the first half but a quick channel ball picked by the number eight, feeding the backline gave the Army their first try of the night.

The Army followed with another try after a good lineout ball for Scottish was dropped in midfield, allowing the Army to counter.

Desperate defence by Scottish resulted in a penalty from which the Army scored their second try.

Scottish hit back but another driving maul by Scottish was stopped resulting in 3 points from Young.

The teams went in at the break with the Army leading 14-9.

The second half was restarted by Scottish and immediately they claimed the ball back to set-up some phases but a strong counter ruck by the Army saw them putting together phases followed by a penalty to the corner from which their drive was effective and their full-back shrugged off some poor defending to score the first try of the second half.

The Army’s scrum grew stronger and it provided a solid platform for them to finish strongly, resulting in a final score of 43-9 in favour of the hosts.

Academy coach Corne du Rand said: “The Scottish players will have to learn from this experience as the next game is against the much improved RAF 1st XV at the Athletic Ground on Wednesday, March 11 at 7pm.”

Highlights of the match can be found here.

The Junior and Senior Academy is now open for applications for the 2015/16 season.

For more information, click here, or contact us at academy@londonscottish.com.