The Junior Academy squad built on the good start to their LV Cup campaign by backing up their victory over Bury St. Edmunds with a comprehensive 43-5 victory over Westcliff U18s last Sunday.
After the long journey into Essex, the Scottish team got off to a flying start with an opportunistic first score. With just one minute on the clock, Westcliff infringed at a lineout and from the penalty, fly half Fraser attacked the opposition back line. From 10 metres out his chip-kick was well-gathered in-goal by centre Josh and dotted down just before the dead ball line. Fraser added the conversion for a perfect start.
Scottish continued to have the best of the attacking play and, after several drives at the opposition, initially well defended, the pressure eventually told. The ball was popped to Dan Edgar who broke the line to score under the posts. It was great to see Dan back in Scottish colours and having an immediate impact on the game. The conversion took the score to 0-14.
Scottish continued to use the wind, kicking long and making Westcliff play from deep. Following another turnover, and after several phases, the Scottish team created a four-man overlap. Bola was the beneficiary of the last pass for the third try of the game.
With the half ending, blindside flanker Sol scored twice. Firstly, a lineout was won by Toby, the ball mauled to the line, and Sol dotted down for the bonus point score. The last move of the half was a penalty to Scottish, quickly taken by Demi. Sol, again present in support, collected the pass and out sprinted the defenders from the half way line for a fine score. Fraser again added the conversion for a half time lead of 0-31.
In the second half and playing into the wind, the ambition was to keep the ball in hand and keep the play structured. The team did this to good effect. Three minutes into the half the ball was swiftly moved down the back line and this time, it was outside centre Dan Masters, who made the telling play. A high tackle stopped his first run, but he got straight back into the game and from the next phase was on hand to score out wide to finish off a pleasing move.
With ten minutes of the half gone, Scottish scored their final try from another good period of play. Again, the forwards made the hard yards and the backs finished off the work. This time Fraser took the ball to the line and rounded the last defender. The conversion took the lead to 0-43.
Scottish continued to play most of the rugby but a series of ambitious off-load attempts just failed to go to hand. The final score went to Westcliff, a solo score out wide, and just reward for their continued endeavour.
Well done to the whole London Scottish squad on a convincing victory. The final group game is a local derby against Ealing, with qualification for the knockout phase of the competition the potential reward.
