In a game largely dictated by the conditions with a howling gale, sideways rain and the freezing cold putting an end to a lot of running rugby at the RAG on Saturday. London Scottish fell just short against a dogged Ampthill to snatch the victory away in the last minute.

Playing with the wind in the first half London Scottish kept control of territory and a lot of the proceedings. First scoring through Cameron Anderson first as Alec Lloyd-Seed darted through a gap to set up his fullback in the corner.

Sean Kerr would add the extras before having a couple of long range attempts at goal. Both just sailing wide of the uprights as London Scottish looked to build a lead.

That lead would be doubled a few minutes later when Will Trenholm would tap and go quickly to catch an Ampthill defence napping. Diving for the line the back rower dotted down and saw Kerr add the extras to take the score to 14-0.

Ampthill would respond with a penalty of their own just before the break to cut the gap knowing they would have the wind at their backs for the second forty.

With the sides switched round and the wind now into the Exiles’ faces the home side faced a much different challenge in the second half. Both sides managed the conditions exceptionally given how challenging they were.

London Scottish were left clinging on with clearances going almost nowhere and a buoyant Ampthill pack starting to the turn the screw. Tries in the 68th and then 77th minute eventually did for the Exiles, unable to respond owing to the conditions.

With the score ending 15-14 to the visitors London Scottish will rue chances missed in the first forty which would have provided a great cushion in order to see the game out. However, it was a much improved performance and showed great heart going into a big Christmas month.