The Epping Forest Pipe Band in attendance, a packed out RAG and a perfect day for rugby. The stage was set for a cracking Champ clash but it wasn’t to be for London Scottish as Cornish Pirates put in a great performance to down the Exiles at home.

Overall the game was one of stop start nature, 7 yellow cards throughout the eighty minutes and both sides spending periods down to 13 men, neither side were allowed to get into the flow of the game. However, Cornish Pirates dealt with the disruption much better of the two teams, dominated possession and territory to control the game.

The first half was a Cornish Pirates perfect first forty. Three tries all from short range, making the most of London Scottish over committing either to the maul or to the defence around the edge of the ruck. This allowed Pirates to move the ball sharply to the edges and take three tries.

Scottish hit back after break to score a quick try in the corner through Murray Bellis after getting their opponents down to 13 men thanks to some continued pressure in the Pirates 22.

However, Scottish were unable to make the most out of their advantage as Pirates came into their own at scrum and maul time. Winning penalties and territory to force London Scottish into their 22.

Once back to a full compliment, Pirates were able to continue to use their power advantage and take three more tries from short range to secure the game.

Scottish were able to finish with a flourish as Bellis went in for his second try of the day. Finishing 38-10, Scottish have a lot of work to do going into a tough run of games, much improvement is needed in the coming weeks to turn their season around.