The London Scottish Lions came into this game riding high after an impressive opening weekend win, and eager to build on that momentum. Meanwhile, Beaconsfield RFC, having suffered their first defeat in over a season the previous weekend, were determined to bounce back with a statement performance.
The match started with Beaconsfield wasting no time in making their mark – within the first two minutes, they moved the ball swiftly out wide and exploited space down the left wing, crossing over for the game’s opening try, 0-7. The early blow put the Lions on the back foot, but they remained patient.
It took 20 minutes for the Lions to respond on the scoreboard – after being held up over the tryline, they kept the pressure on from the resulting goal-line drop-out, attacking down the left wing. Following two quick rucks, a tip pass from a wide runner found Ross Currie running a perfect scrum-half’s support line, allowing him to dive under the posts for the Lions’ first try. Gavin Kinder added the conversion, bringing the score up to 7-7.
Beaconsfield quickly regained control eight minutes later. Following a period of sustained pressure and rapid recycling of the ball, their forwards punched through the Lions’ defence for another try, with the conversion taking the score to 7-14.
As halftime approached, the Lions were awarded a scrum just 5 meters from Beaconsfield’s tryline. A powerful surge from a dominant Lions’ pack allowed No. 8 Finlay Hillicks to pick up and charge over for his first score of the game. Kinder’s conversion ensured the teams went into the break level, 14-14, after an intense first half that saw neither team managing to get clear of their opposition.
The second half began with Beaconsfield nudging ahead through a penalty goal after the Lions were penalised for going off their feet. With the score at 14-17, Beaconsfield held a narrow advantage, but this would be the last time they led the match.
The Lions then found a rich vein of form, dominating the next 25 minutes. Finlay Hillicks, proving unstoppable in a Man of the Match performance, crossed over twice more from close range to complete his hat-trick, while Chris Rolfe added a brace, including a try from a well-executed lineout catch-and-drive. With three conversions added, the Lions stormed to a commanding 40-17 lead.
However, Beaconsfield weren’t finished, in the final 10 minutes they mounted a spirited comeback, scoring two converted tries to narrow the deficit to 40-31. Despite the late pressure, the Lions held firm to secure the victory.
This win marks an excellent start to the 2024/25 season for the Lions, who now sit atop the Regional 2 Thames league courtesy of points difference. With only two other teams still unbeaten, the league is already shaping up to be fiercely competitive, but the Lions have shown they’re ready for the challenge!
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Next up for the Club, the Lions take on Old Haberdashers away in round 3 and hoping to continue their winning start to the season, and the Lions B’s begin their season with the opening round of the Middlesex Merit Div 1.
Saturday 21 September:
London Scottish Lions vs Old Haberdashers (A)
London Scottish Lions B’s vs London Japanese (A)
Photos: Match photos by Stephen Kinder
