Just two weeks on from their league-winning heroics against London Japanese, the London Scottish Lions B’s were back in action — this time in knockout territory. Their opponents? Finchley 2nd XV, a side who had already beaten the B’s twice in the league this season. But with a place in the Middlesex Merit Bowl Final at stake, and an opportunity to prove they could beat any team in the league, the B’s were fired up and ready for redemption.
From the opening whistle, both sides tore into each other, as befits a semi-final between two quality outfits. Finchley struck first, scoring in the fifth minute after a slick counter-attack down the left wing. The B’s had turned the ball over on their own line and kicked clear, but their chase didn’t put Finchley under enough pressure, allowing the home side to strike quickly and clinically. The early score might have rattled some teams—but not this one.
The Lions B’s regrouped, tightened up their execution, and began asserting themselves — particularly through the forwards, who were relentless at the breakdown. On 16 minutes, Liam Kerr smashed through the Finchley defence and was dragged down just short. After several quick, close-range rucks, Fraser Craig burrowed over to level the scores, with George Fisher slotting the extras.
With the game poised at 7-7, the next 10 minutes were a tense, back-and-forth affair. But the B’s continued to build pressure and eventually struck again. A composed multi-phase attack pushed them deep into Finchley territory, and on 27 minutes, Liam Kerr got his reward, crashing over from 5 metres out. Fisher’s boot made it 14-7 to the Lions B’s.
Now in the ascendency, the B’s began to edge control of the game. Winning penalties at the breakdown, Fisher kicked to the left-hand corner. From the resulting line-out, quick rucks and smart play from the pack created space for scrum-half Ross Currie, who sniped over for the third try. Yet again, Fisher was unerring with the conversion, extending the lead to 21-7.
Just as it looked like the Lions B’s might pull away, Finchley reminded everyone why they’ve been such a tough opponent this season. Following a spell of dominance at the breakdown, they worked the ball wide in an excellent display of handling and ran around the B’s defence to score under the posts. The conversion made it 21-14.
But the B’s weren’t finished yet. With barely a minute left in the half, they won a penalty straight from the restart — Fisher stepped up and, in keeping with his perfect record for the day, nailed the kick to take the half-time score to Finchley 14 – 24 Lions B’s.
The second half began much like the first ended — with the B’s on the front foot and Finchley struggling to keep their discipline. Three successive penalties in kickable range were calmly slotted by George Fisher on the 47th, 53rd and 58th minute, stretching the lead to 33-14 and giving the B’s breathing room.
That breathing room turned into dominance shortly after, when Ross Currie grabbed his second try of the day in the 62nd minute. With Fisher converting yet again, the B’s now led 40-14 with just under 20 minutes to go.
Only a collapse of epic proportions would deny the B’s their first win over Finchley this season — and they weren’t about to let that happen. They held firm in defence, kept the tempo high, and continued to frustrate their hosts. Finchley did manage a late consolation try in the 78th minute, converting to bring the final score to Finchley 2nd XV 21 – 40 London Scottish Lions B’s.
It was a performance packed with heart, aggression, precision, and maturity—everything you’d want from a semi-final showing.
There were many contenders for Man of the Match — Bruce Moffat, Aengus McCrimmon, and Chris McIlroy were immense in the forwards, while Fraser Craig and Ross Currie were lively and dependable in the backs. But it was George Fisher who took the honours: defensively solid, sharp in attack, and flawless from the tee with a 100% kicking record that kept the pressure on Finchley throughout.
A huge thank you to all the supporters who made the trip to Finchley to roar on the B’s — your presence made a real difference.
Now, the Lions as a Club stand on the cusp of something truly special. Both the Lions and the B’s have won their respective leagues. If the B’s can defeat Ealing 1871 2nd XV on Saturday 26th April, they will complete a clean sweep for the Club in the 2024/25 season, winning every competition they’ve entered.
There’s no clash with any other London Scottish fixture, so we’re calling on all supporters to come down and make it a sea of London Scottish navy at the final (at Wasps RFC) – let’s help the B’s bring it home!
#UpTheLions
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Next up for the Club, and the final XVs game for the amateurs this season, the Lions B’s take on Ealing 1871 2nd XV on Saturday 26th April in the Middlesex Merit Bowl Final.
