Match Report: London Scottish Lions 38 – 19 Worthing
Regional 1 South Central – Round 5
Saturday 11 October 2025
Venue: King’s House Sports Ground
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First half
An unseasonably warm afternoon at King’s House provided the perfect backdrop for an early-season clash between two of Regional 1 South Central’s in-form sides, as London Scottish Lions (4th) hosted Worthing (5th) — both entering the contest with three wins from four matches.
The Lions welcomed Callum MacTaggart back from injury, while Nick Hill took the field for his first home appearance since reaching the 50-cap milestone the previous weekend. There was also a well-earned call-up for Liam Kerr, whose try-scoring form for the B’s earned him a place on the bench.
Playing to the north end of the field in the first half, early pressure gave the Lions a chance to demonstrate the power of their rolling maul. Although Michael Baldock was the last man up from the maul, hooker Chris Rolfe was quick to tell your correspondent that it was actually he who had grounded the ball down over the line. The conversion from Nick Hill made it 7-0 to the Lions.
The Lions were well on top in the opening stages, and captain Joe Emson did a passable impression of Chris Rolfe as he borrowed over for a try at the bottom of a ruck from a couple of feet short of the line. Hill’s conversion made it 14-0.
Worthing were beginning to find a foothold in the game, but a brilliant piece of pace and running from Aaron McLelland took the Lions to a 21-0 lead after only 23 minutes. His mazy run took him past several defenders as he scored from 30m out.
The Lions weren’t done, and Lachie Lowick, back in his preferred position of flanker after a solid outing in the centres against Tunbridge, dotted down in the left hand corner just before half time. The King’s House crowd was delighted if a little surprised as the score at the half was Lions 26 Worthing 0.
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Second half
The challenge for the Lions into the second half was to keep up the intensity, as Worthing lifted following the break. The game seemed to have been put beyond any doubt when Callum MacTaggart, back from injury, finished off some team pressure by scoring out wide on the right flank after 62 minutes to increase the lead to 31-0.
Worthing fought back as the clock began to wind down, getting over the line in the 64th and 69th minutes to make the score 31-14. But any hopes of a comeback were crushed by Liam Kerr, an early replacement for no. 8 Finlay Hillicks, made an intercept and powerful 20-metre charge to score under the posts. Harry Churchill added the extras for 38–14.
A late yellow card to Fabian Thwaites gave Worthing a final opportunity, and they crossed once more before the final whistle — but the result was beyond doubt.
The Lions ran out deserved 38–19 winners, claiming a fourth victory from five and solidifying their place among the early-season front-runners.
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Tries: Christopher Rolfe (4’), Joe Emson (14’), Aaron McLelland (22’), Lachlan Lowick (35’), Callum MacTaggart (62’), Liam Kerr (74’)
Conversions: Nick Hill x3 (5’, 15’, 23’), Harry Churchill (75’)
Yellow Card: Fabian Thwaites (78′)
Man of the Match: Fabian Thwaites – a commanding performance in midfield, combining defensive steel, sharp distribution, and composure throughout a fiery contest.
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Looking Ahead:
The Lions will look to carry their strong early-season form into next weekend, with momentum building and competition for places intensifying. With both attack and defence firing, and key players returning to full fitness, the Pride are showing their strength as one of Regional 1 South Central’s teams to beat.
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Saturday 18 October
Next up for the Club, 2x teams out this weekend:
Lions vs Farnham (A)
– Venue: Farnham RFC (GU9 9ND)
– KO: 15:00
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C Lions vs Wasps 2nd XV (A)
– Venue: Wasps RFC (W3 9QA)
– KO: 14:00
