Match Report – London Scottish Lions vs Hammersmith & Fulham
Regional 1 South Central – Round 10
Venue: Hammersmith & Fulham RFC
Saturday 29 November – KO 14:00
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A chilly Saturday in Fulham saw London Scottish legend Mark Bright lead the Lions out against Hammersmith & Fulham on his 200th appearance in a London Scottish shirt. Normal captain Joe Emson was suffering on the sideline with what appeared to be a torn heartilage (!), and we wish him well.
H&F have had a tough start to the season, sitting last, but their performance throughout the match suggested they will surely start to move up the league. The two teams were a bit like two boxers in the opening 20 minutes, grappling and swinging scrappily without doing much damage to their opponent. Eventually, a familiar play saw the Lions take the lead, as a catch and drive brought the first try of the match. As the supporters waited to see who got up last with the ball, it was the double centurion and old war horse Mark Bright who claimed the 5 points. Full back Harry Churchill kicked an excellent conversion across the wind, and the Lions were 7 points to the good.
Frustratingly, the Lions were unable to kick on from this, with H&F having some sustained pressure as both teams made errors and turnovers. H&F were able to work an overlap that saw them score wide out on the right touchline. The missed conversion left the score 7-5 to the Lions.
As half time approached the game struggled along, perhaps being best summed up by birthday boy stand off Aaron McLelland kicking a clearance directly into our Hudl camera, snapping it clean off its stand and sending it bouncing to the ground. Harry Churchill drilled a penalty to make the score 10-5, and a series of catches and drives made it seem as though the Lions were going to take a decisive lead into the half. Strong defence from H&F kept the Lions at bay, and half time was upon us with the Lions 5 points ahead.
Half time at least brought some creativity from injured Lion Jack Parkhurst – the bottle of wine purchased from the local corner shop for second half refreshments was a cork bottle rather than a screw top. A quick visit to a nearby Italian restaurant with a promise to return for dinner saw the bottle uncorked and the supporters happy.
H&F made a strong start to the second half as the Lions struggled to exit their half, and with all the momentum a converted try for H&F following a second Harry Churchill penalty goal made the score 13-12 and the Lions looked in a difficult spot. Replacement scrum half and new father Nick Hill swung the game in the Lions favour as a blind side break in only a metre or so of space then a chip and gather made it a contender for try of the season. Churchill’s form with the boot continued, as his conversion made it 20-12. At this point it felt as though a win would be all the Lions would take from the day, but suddenly the team came awake, as the ball began to flow and breaks were made down the field.
Mark Bright went over for a second try, taking him to 99 for the club, and it looked as though the script was written for him to score a scarcely believable hat trick as Cameron Wray made a searing break down the middle. Unfortunately, Lachlan Lowick had other ideas as he failed to take the pass that would have allowed him to put Brighty under the posts. Lowick did make up for it, to some degree, by scoring the bonus point try for the Lions with the last play of the game, the final score of 34-12 probably slightly flattering a relieved Lions team.
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Tries: Mark Bright x2 (25’, 75’), Nick Hill (68’), Lachlan Lowick (80’)
Conversions: Harry Churchill x3 (26’, 69’, 76’, 81’)
Penalties: Harry Churchill x2 (36’, 51’)
MotM: Lachie Lowick
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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
