Match Report: London Scottish Lions 47–15 Old Alleynians
Regional 1 South Central – Round 18
King’s House, London
Saturday 3:00pm KO
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London Scottish Lions delivered another emphatic home performance at King’s House, running in seven tries to defeat Old Alleynians 47–15 in a crucial Regional 1 South Central fixture.
With Tunbridge Wells falling to Farnham elsewhere, the result opens up a four-point gap between the Lions in second place (71 points) and Tunbridge Wells in third (67 points) as the run-in gathers pace. On a day of milestones and momentum, the Lions combined forward power, defensive steel and clinical finishing to take a firm grip on the contest and strengthen their position near the summit.
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Sitting in the house on a Saturday night (not a sentence your correspondent would ordinarily write), there was some time for reflection. Reflection on a hugely successful Taverners dinner the previous Thursday. Reflection on a ropey round of golf on Saturday morning. Reflection on the Lions putting out three teams on Saturday, all at King’s House. What a week. And that was before the Lions kicked off at 3pm v Old Alleynians in a crucial match in Regional One South Central (a name that nearly matches “The Prem” and “The Champ” for awfulness) [Ed. Opinions are the correspondent’s own, and he has plenty of them, usually in the Shaftesbury around 9:30 or 10pm on a Saturday].
It was a big day for the Lions, with Jem Edwards playing his 100th match for the club — the first player to reach that milestone. Angus Dandie stepped up from leading the Bs to start at lock, while David Greene was a late call-up to the bench as “Dublin” Joe Byrne’s 17th century diet of cheese and red wine caught up with him.
As has become customary this season, the Lions began by conceding early pressure. They failed to secure the opening kick-off and Old Alleynians slotted a penalty inside two minutes for a 0–3 lead.
Running with the wind and sun at their backs, the Lions quickly responded. A penalty kicked to the corner was followed by the familiar sequence: driving maul, Chris Rolfe at the tail, try. The conversion drifted wide but the Lions led 5–3 after nine minutes.
Defence became attack. Fabian Thwaites and Logan Trotter both earned turnovers, and it was Trotter who finished superbly in the left corner on 16 minutes, beating two defenders for his first try for the club. Nick Hill converted brilliantly from the touchline to make it 12–3.
The game loosened from there. OAs targeted the breakdown effectively and the Lions’ lineout struggled in the wind. Despite strong defensive work against the sizeable visiting pack, Old Alleynians forced their way over near the posts on 30 minutes and converted to close the gap to 12–10.
The next score felt significant — and it was. Aaron McLelland launched a deep kick that bounced awkwardly over the full-back. Byron Leach hacked on, and centurion Jem Edwards was first to react, chasing through to score. Hill converted for a 19–10 half-time lead, preserved by determined defence on the final play.
Turning to face the elements in the second half presented a challenge, but the Lions seized control. Powerful carries from Murdoch, Dandie and the outstanding Mick Baldock set the platform. A quick tap penalty from Hill caught the defence napping, and the scrum-half raced through to score, converting his own try for 26–10.
Old Alleynians threatened immediately after with a sustained assault. Ruck after ruck built towards the Lions’ line — until Callum MacTaggart intercepted and began a lung-busting sprint from deep inside his own half. Roared on by the King’s House crowd, he kept going — and going — to score under the posts. Hill converted to stretch the lead to 33–10, and the game swung decisively.
MacTaggart was central again moments later, finishing off a flowing move with a shorter five-metre effort after Leach supplied the final pass. In between, Mark Bright had powered through the centre of a ruck close to the line to claim the sixth try. Hill converted both.
Old Alleynians did manage a late try in the left corner, but the Lions’ control was rarely threatened as they closed out a comprehensive 47–15 victory.
Man of the Match Aaron McLelland orchestrated territory superbly and influenced key moments, while Hill’s energy, MacTaggart’s finishing, and the relentless work of the pack ensured a dominant afternoon.
Seven tries, a milestone for Jem Edwards, and a crucial league swing elsewhere — it was a significant afternoon at King’s House.
With a four-point cushion now separating the Lions in second from Tunbridge Wells in third, the squad have placed themselves in a strong position heading into the decisive final rounds. Maintaining this intensity and composure will be key as the season approaches its climax.
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Tries: Christopher Rolfe (9), Logan Trotter (16), Jem Edwards (36), Nick Hill (47), Callum MacTaggart x2 (54, 75), Mark Bright (66)
Conversions: Nick Hill x6 (17, 37, 48, 55, 67, 76)
MotM: Aaron McLelland
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Next Round: Saturday 7 March
Lions vs CS Stags (A)
– Venue: King’s House Sports Ground (W4 2SH)
– KO: TBC
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Lions Bs vs Rosslyn Park 4th XV (H)
– Venue: King’s House Sports Ground (W4 2SH)
– KO: TBC
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C Lions vs Hendon (A)
– Venue: Hendon RFC (NW4 1RL)
– KO: TBC
