Match Report: Maidenhead 25–34 London Scottish Lions
Regional 1 South Central – Round 17
Maidenhead RFC, Braywick Rd, Maidenhead SL6 1BN
Saturday 14 February, 15:00 KO
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London Scottish Lions produced a composed and ultimately clinical second-half performance to secure a 34–25 victory away at Maidenhead in Round 17 of Regional 1 South Central.
In a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout, the Lions trailed at half time and again early in the second half before responding with authority, scoring four second-half tries to claim a valuable bonus-point win on the road. With the league entering its decisive phase, the result keeps the Lions firmly in the hunt at the top end of the table and reinforces the resilience that has characterised much of their campaign.
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After a week that included the upheaval of moving house (to Twickenham, where every true Scottish rugby fan wants to live!), and drying out from the monsoon in Rome the week before, your correspondent was pleased to see life start to return to normal – Rangers dropped points away from home in midweek, and the Lions were playing!
Lovely conditions greeted the Lions at Maidenhead, with debutant Logan Trotter pleased to see the back of the constant rain. There was a further debut, with David “Greeney” Greene making his commentary debut on the Maidenhead live stream of the match.
Lovely conditions also greeted your correspondent at the Toby Carvery next to Maidenhead’s ground. Ben Edwards had talked of little else all week, and the unlimited portions did not disappoint (unlike Scotland v Italy, v England, and no doubt v Wales too). [Ed. this was written on the bus on the way to Maidenhead]
On the field, the game initially struggled to find a rhythm. Errors and penalties disrupted the flow for both sides, but it was the Lions who struck first. After sustained pressure, Angus Clogg stepped up to convert a straightforward penalty in front of the posts on 12 minutes to give the visitors a 3–0 lead. In true Lions’ fashion, Maidenhead were able to regain the kickoff and to put immediate pressure back on the Lions. A penalty to Maidenhead tied things up at 3-3.
Given the international reach of the Lions, your correspondent likes to acknowledge our far flung readers and viewers. Although we have been referring to Granny Wray, your correspondent understands Granny Urquhart would have been thrilled to see Cameron Wray go over in the left corner after 25 minutes to give the Lions an 8–3 lead, Logan Trotter giving the scoring pass. Clogg was unable to add the extras from the touchline.
The half did not end well for the Lions. Maidenhead hit back with two tries in the closing stages of the half — the second following a frustrating penalty in the Maidenhead 22 as a Lion went looking for birthday presents on the wrong side of the ruck. From leading 8–3, the visitors found themselves trailing 15–8 at the interval.
A half-time substitute, the Lions were pleased to welcome back Aaron McLelland from injury, but the initial second-half momentum belonged to the hosts. Maidenhead extended their lead to 22–8 early in the half, and thoughts of Worthing were briefly to the fore.
The response, however, was emphatic.
As predictable as death, taxes and Huw Jones scoring against England [Ed. this was written post-Calcutta Cup], a driving maul following a penalty on the far side of the field saw birthday boy (who clearly had a tough paper round as a child) Chris Rolfe lean on the back of the maul and come up with the score. A good conversion from Harry Churchill closed the score to 15-22.
A Maidenhead penalty nudged the score to 25–15, but the Lions were now finding rhythm and belief. From a scrum, a well-worked left-to-right strike move saw Byron Leach break searingly into the 22 before McLelland delivered a scoring pass. For a split second it looked as though the interception might come, but Harry Churchill gathered at pace to touch down under the posts. His conversion brought the Lions to within three at 25–22 on 53 minutes.
The travelling support did not have long to wait for the lead to change hands. Another penalty allowed the Lions to set up — you guessed it — another driving maul inside the Maidenhead 22. This time it was captain Joe Emson who emerged with the ball to score on 58 minutes. Churchill’s conversion attempt drifted wide, but the Lions had reclaimed the advantage at 27–25 as the game entered its final quarter.
From there, both sides battled for territory and control. Chances became scarce, and the next score would prove decisive.
It came in the closing minutes. An 8–9–10 move off the back of a scrum created space for McLelland, who showcased his pace with a show-and-go and an outside arc to finish superbly on 78 minutes. Clogg’s conversion at 79 minutes sealed the victory at 34–25.
It was a comeback built on forward dominance, particularly the maul, and clinical finishing when opportunities presented themselves. Debutant Logan Trotter settled well, while Rolfe, Emson and Churchill were central figures in the second-half surge. McLelland’s return from injury provided genuine impact, capped with the final score.
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An away win in Round 17, secured through resilience and composure under pressure, represents a significant step in the Lions’ season. Trailing at half time and again early in the second half, the squad showed both character and tactical clarity to wrest control of the contest.
With momentum building and the league table tightening, this bonus-point victory keeps the Lions firmly in contention as the run-in approaches. Attention now turns to the next fixture, where maintaining this intensity and set-piece efficiency will be key.
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Tries: Cameron Wray (25), Christopher Rolfe (48), Harry Churchill (53), Joe Emson (58), Aaron McLelland (78)
Conversions: Harry Churchill x2 (49, 54), Angus Clogg (79)
Penalties: Angus Clogg (12)
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Next Round: Saturday 21 February
Lions B’s vs HAC 2nd XV (A)
– Venue: The Artillery Garden (EC1Y 4TW)
– KO: TBC
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C Lions vs Hampstead 2nd XV (A/H TBC)
– Venue: TBC
– KO: TBC
