In a thrilling matchup between two closely ranked teams, the London Scottish Lions B’s emerged with an emphatic 69-13 victory over Grasshoppers 2nd XV. Heading into the game, both sides had three wins and one loss, with the Lions B’s 3rd, and Grasshoppers 5th in the league. The stage was set for a hard-fought contest, and with Johnny Newman marking his 50th cap for the club, there was added motivation for the Lions B’s. Welcoming back several players, the Lions were eager to make a statement, although the formidable Grasshoppers pack promised to make things difficult.
The opening 20 minutes were a battle of discipline and endurance as both teams struggled to find their rhythm amidst frequent penalties – neither side reacting well to the referee’s calls. The Lions B’s were the slower to react of the two teams, picking up multiple penalties and even seeing Johnny Newman receive a yellow card in the 7th minute—a momentary setback in his milestone game. Grasshoppers capitalised on the early disarray, scoring the opening try just five minutes in and converting to go up 7-0. But the Lions B’s, showing their resilience, responded quickly. Just four minutes later, Will Cane, fresh back from a five-month stint abroad, burst through the Grasshoppers backs to score, closing the gap to 7-5. Fraser Waddell followed up with another try at the 16th minute, converted by Hamish Thorpe, which gave the Lions B’s a narrow 12-7 lead. Grasshoppers clawed their way back with two penalties at the 20th and 34th minutes, nudging them ahead on the scoreboard, 12-13 to Grasshoppers.
This evenly matched contest began to tilt as the Lions B’s found their stride and finally stopped leaking penalties. With 35 minutes gone, after a series of pick-and-goes by the increasingly dominant B’s forward pack, scrum-half Dan Law powered his way over the line, and Thorpe’s conversion pushed the Lions B’s to a 19-13 halftime lead. By this point, both teams were feeling the toll of a bruising first half, but it was clear the Grasshoppers pack, formidable as they were, began to lose steam faster than their opponents.
Half-time: Lions B’s 19 – 13 Grasshoppers 2s.
After the break, the Lions B’s came out with renewed energy, setting the tone for a dominant half. Just three minutes in, Cormac McCracken charged over the line, with Thorpe again converting to stretch the lead to 26-13. The following moments delivered some of the most electrifying play of the day: Harry Montgomery, fielding the kickoff, surged forward, breaking tackles and setting up Dan Law on the wing. Law was brought down 20m out from try line with a high tackle from the final defender, resulting in a penalty try and a Grasshoppers yellow card. This decision not only boosted the Lions B’s score to 33-13 but also gave them a crucial man advantage at a key moment.
Seizing the opportunity, the Lions B’s ramped up their attack. Montgomery and Thorpe each added a try within the next ten minutes, building the score to a commanding 45-13 by the 53rd minute. Despite Grasshoppers regaining their full complement, the Lions B’s relentless pace continued to overpower them. McCracken claimed his second try on 59 minutes, with another conversion from Thorpe taking it to 52-13.
The Lions B’s coaching staff introduced several fresh players, but the momentum didn’t let up. Adam Burkitt, fresh off the bench, added another try in the 65th minute, followed shortly by Ed Dale, who scored at the 70-minute mark. McCracken then completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute—a remarkable performance on his return from injury that earned him the well-deserved man of the match honors from Captain Thomas Bathgate. Thorpe’s final conversion brought the score to a brilliant 69-13.
While the result was a decisive Lions B’s win, the early stages reminded everyone of the competitiveness Grasshoppers brought to the game. It was only in the second half that the Lions B’s physicality, speed, and depth overwhelmed the opposition. The only down note to an otherwise stellar match was the injury to a Grasshoppers forward, to whom we extend our best wishes for a swift recovery.
Final score: Lions B’s 69 – 13 Grasshoppers 2nd XV
Man of the Match: Cormac McCracken
