Lions Match report by Simon MacMichael
London Scottish Lions suffered their second defeat in a row on Saturday, losing a closely fought and highly entertaining match against Teddington by 37 points to 33 – but they remain six points clear at the top of the Regional 2 Thames league table with seven matches remaining.
It was the visitors that opened the scoring at Bushy Park through a try from Tye James on three minutes, the winger missing his conversion attempt on an afternoon when the accuracy of the respective kickers proved influential on the final scoreline.
Teddington moved into the lead with 15 minutes played, Max Aitken’s try, the first of two scored by the full back, converted by fly-half Bob Beevers.
The Lions struck back with two tries in the space of three minutes courtesy of flanker Finlay Hillickcks and full back Gavin Kinder to move ahead 15-7.
But in an open match, Teddington were back in touch shortly before the half-hour mark after scrum-half Will Mavin created space for himself through a fine dummy after picking up from the back of the ruck, and Beevers’ second conversion of the game reduced the deficit to just one point.
The fly-half would sit out the rest of the half after being shown a yellow card, and the Lions immediately pressed home their one-man advantage, the pack driving forward following a lineout for flanker Cormac McCracken to secure the bonus point, James this time adding the extras for a 22-14 lead.
Despite being a man down, Teddington secured their fourth try of the match as Mavin finished off a move on the right, but the scrum-half, taking over kicking duties from the sidelined Beevers, missed his conversion attempt.
There was still time for one more score before the break, and it went to the Lions. A promising move on the left broke down following a deliberate knock-on from a Teddington player.
From the lineout following the resulting penalty, a huge push from the Lions pack as well as several backs who rushed forward to join in with the effort ended with hooker Sam Boundford going over for the try and a score at the break of 27-19.
At the start of the second half, the rival sides traded penalties with Beevers, back on the pitch after serving his time in the sin bin, kicking over for Teddington before James immediately replied in kind for the Lions.
A second penalty from the home fly-half moments later brought Teddington back to within five points of the visitors as the home side found space on the right with full-back Max Aitken going over for the try.
It was the 10th try of the afternoon, but despite half an hour remaining, the rest of the contest saw points hard to come by.
On 65 minutes, and with a penalty advantage in their favour, the Lions’ pack looked to have pushed over for a try, but the ball was held up by Teddington.
With play brought back by the referee, James took the opportunity to kick his penalty for a 33-30 lead with 12 minutes left.
The final say went to Teddington, however, as the hosts swept forward with seven minutes remaining, inside centre Harry Smith touching down under the posts to set up an easy conversion attempt for Beevers to make it 37-33.
With the clock in the red, the Lions were awarded a penalty, which James kicked into touch on the Teddington 22, but any hopes of that position setting up the opportunity for a last-gasp victory for the visitors were extinguished as they were penalised from the resulting lineout.
Final Score: London Scottish Lions 33 – 37 Teddington
Man of the Match: Gavin Kinder (fullback)
With two bonus points picked up, the Lions remain six points clear at the top of the league table ahead of second-placed Belsize Park, with HAC, who have a game in hand, two points further back in third place.
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Next up for the Club, the Lions (1st) take on Hemel Hempstead (11th), and the Lions B’s (2nd) take on Grasshoppers 2nd XV (5th).
Saturday 1 February:
Lions vs Hemel Hempstead (A)
Lions B’s vs Grasshoppers 2nd XV (A)
