Regional 1 South Central – Round 1
Final score: Camberley 42 – 46 London Scottish Lions
Match Report by Ben Edwards
The London Scottish Lions kicked off their Regional 1 South Central campaign with a pulsating 46–42 away win at Camberley RFC, in a game packed with pace, power, late drama, and more than a touch of chaos/comedy*.
The conditions were perfect for rugby: a firm surface and a steady breeze, setting the stage for a fast-paced encounter. Both teams came out firing, eager to set the tone for the season.
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First Half
Camberley applied early pressure, forcing the Lions into conceding four quick penalties. Despite that, the hosts couldn’t turn territory into points, and it was the Lions who struck first. On 14 minutes, a quick tap from a free-kick saw Aaron McLelland jink through the defence for a brilliant solo try.
Camberley hit back almost immediately when a charged-down box kick gifted them a score, the conversion nudging them ahead 7–5.
Scottish replied with pressure of their own, and after Camberley’s No. 12 was shown yellow for a deliberate knock on, Nick Hill slotted the penalty to put the Lions 8–7 up.
From there, momentum swung firmly towards the visitors. On 30 minutes, a strong scrum platform created the space for Callum MacTaggart to finish out wide for his first league try in a Lions jersey, Hill adding the extras for 15–7. Only moments later, slick backline play saw McLelland slice through and release Lachie Lowick, who stormed in from 30 metres for 20–7.
Camberley, though, refused to fold. They struck back with a converted try just before half-time. Hill had the chance to stretch the lead on the whistle, but his long-range penalty drifted wide. The Lions went into the break 20–14 up.
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Second Half
The home side closed the gap with an early penalty (20–17), but the Lions responded in style. McLelland — in irresistible form — somersaulted* over under the posts for his second try, Hill converting for 27–17.
Camberley cut it to 27–20 with another penalty, before the Lions produced a moment of class. A sweeping move and a deft offload from Mark Bright sent Will Cane charging through defenders to score, Hill’s conversion making it 34–20 on 51 minutes.
The Lions then enjoyed their strongest spell. On league debut, Byron Leach powered down the left wing to score in the corner, Hill nailing the touchline conversion for 41–20.
But the game was far from done. Camberley’s scrum-half darted over on 61 minutes, before two yellow cards in two minutes left the Lions down to 13 men, which Camberley took full advantage of – running in two quick tries (63 and 67) to close to 41–39 with just over 10 minutes to go.
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Closing Stages
Scottish needed to steady themselves, and with four minutes remaining, Fin Hillicks – powered over for his first try of the season. Hill’s conversion attempt rattled the upright, but the score moved to 46–39.
Camberley slotted another penalty in the 78th minute to make it 46–42, setting up a tense finale.
Josh Thomas, on league debut, carried hard and Camberley were penalised at the ruck giving Scottish the option of going to the corner for a catch and drive, or to take the kick. With the kick chosen, it gave Hill (and the Lions) a chance to seal the game, but his effort drifted wide.
With seconds left, Camberley earned one final lineout deep in Lions territory — only for the visitors to steal it. Ben Molloy coolly booted the ball dead to spark jubilant celebrations from the travelling support.
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Final Whistle
The Lions emerged with a five-point victory from a thrilling encounter that swung back and forth. Aaron McLelland was named Man of the Match by the hosts after scoring twice, creating another, and keeping Camberley on the back foot all afternoon; and Joe Emson, captaining the Lions for the first time, gave his MotM nomination to Lachie Lowick.
It was a nerve-jangling but hugely satisfying start to life back in Regional 1 for the Lions — and a clear statement that they will fight for every inch this season.
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Tries: Aaron McLelland x2 (14, 45), Callum MacTaggart (30), Lachie Lowick (33), Will Cane (51), Byron Leach (56), Fin Hillicks (76)
Conversions: Nick Hill x4 (30, 45, 51, 56)
Penalties: Nick Hill (20)
MotM: Aaron McLelland (Camberley captain’s); Lachie Lowick (Lions captain’s)
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Saturday 13 September
Next up for the Club, the first weekend all 3x Lions teams are in action:
Lions vs Jersey (H)
– Venue: King’s House Sports Ground (W4 2SH)
– KO: 14:00
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Lions B’s vs New Zealand Kiwis (A)
– Venue: Wasps RFC (W3 9QA)
– KO: 15:00
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C Lions vs Pinner & Grammarians (H)
– Venue: King’s House Sports Ground (W4 2SH)
– KO: 15:00
