London Scottish 15 - 5 Rosslyn Park

London Scottish did the double over a passionate Rosslyn Park on Saturday at The Athletic Ground. A Season record crowd of 1500 were treated to an enthralling battle - which Scottish won courtesy of 2 tries from Gareth Swales and skipper Alex Alesbrook.

The win keeps Scottish in 3rd place, breathing down the necks of Cinderford and Mounts Bay who both won. Full match report:

London Scottish 15 Rosslyn Park 5
National League 3 South
22nd December 2007

Once again Scottish dominated a game they should in the end have won comfortably, but this time, with a blank second half, failed to score the four tries need for a bonus point. They go into 2008 six points behind leaders Mount’s Bay.
On a cold and misty day a good crowd of 1,200 or so turned up for this local derby despite the attractions – or otherwise – of preparing for the festive season. Surprisingly, it was a first league meeting at Richmond for these two adversaries, who first played each other in the 1880s but after leagues were introduced in 1987, promotion and relegation kept them apart.

From a strong forward platform, Scottish throughout looked to move the ball when chances arose, but both sides struggled to adjust to Mr O’Hara’s policing of the tackle area; not that he was other than fair and correct; however at this level he perhaps was too quick to whistle only for the ball to emerge, albeit more slowly than he would have liked.

However this was no excuse for the Scots’ the back play continuing to not quite gel; the timing and judgment seems lacking; good openings were time and again smothered by a willing defence, or came to naught as passes were grounded. New technical coach Chris Wright has plenty to ponder during the holiday break.
Thus the most potent attacks were carried by the pack, and it was only fair that both tries should go to forwards.

The first score took 20 minutes to arrive, but not for want of effort. First blood should have gone to Park, but Tony Paul’s penalty attempt in the first minute dropped short from 40m.

Then Lee Cholewa – in his last game before he leaves for four months’ travelling – clattered the post with an effort from a similar distance, after Park had been penalised for not releasing.

Finally, after conceding territory and possession for most of the opening period, Park offended again, failing to roll away at the tackle, and Cholewa duly opened the score.

The Scots continued to dominate and the only surprise was how long it took to get the first try, but on the half hour a series of attacks was capped by a driving maul, which propelled Stuart Silvester over the line.

Cholewa did his best to bring the backs into play and a couple of cross kicks caused chaos in the Park defence before it recovered to stifle the threat. But the second of these led to a scrum five metres out and from it Alex Alesbrook powered over for the second score, which Cholewa converted with almost the last play of the half.

With a lead of 15-0 Scottish, it was assumed, would come out and not only complete the league double over Park but run up the further scores necessary for a bonus point. The Park scrum was pressured in the tight; the Scots lineout was secure and a couple of Park balls were duly nicked, but for all their possession Scottish seldom threatened the line at the Cannon’s Gym end.

Indeed the only score of the half came late on when Park profited from a penalty, kicked to the corner, and drove Cooper over for the try.

Paul McFarland
London Scottish

With Petzer still injured, Cholewa was given the 10 jersey and Hadden assigned to the bench. Greenslade-Jones’ absence meant a move to centre for Petzer with Swales switching to full-back and Aver coming in. Mat Johnston rested a knock to Bruce started in an otherwise unchanged pack.

15.  Gareth Swales 
14.  Charles Broughton
13.  Anton Petzer
12.  Duncan Hayward
11.  Cameron Avery
10. Lee Cholewa (Scott Hadden 77)  
9.   Owain Walbyoff
1.  Raynn Bruce
2.  Stuart Silvester (Dan Leek 69)
3.  Steve Millard (Jim Kelly 69)
4.  Andrew Smith
5.  Darrell Ball
6.  Dan Beard
7.  Alex Alesbrook (c) (Lee Soper 77) 
8.  Matt Fitzgerald

London Scottish scorers
Tries: 
Cons: Cholewa 1/2
Pens: Cholewa 1/1
scoring sequence
3-0 (21 mins) Cholewa
8-0 (30) Silvester
15-0 (40+2) Alesbrook / Cholewa
15-5 (70) Cooper
 
Conditions: misty, damp and cold. Pitch good.

Referee: Mr Glenn O'Hara

Whyte and Mackay Man of the Match  Darrell Ball
 

For stats and facts go to www.londonscottish.com.

 
Next Game
Sat 5th January 2008
North Walsham v London Scottish - KO 3pm

New Year Day Rugby
Sat 1st January 2008
London Scottish U21 v Richmond U21
KO - 2.30pm

 
From all at London Scottish a big thanks to all members, supporters,players, coaches, sponsors, volunteers and helpers.

A Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year - lets get behind the boys in 2008 and Hopefully see another Promotion!!!!

Festive Greetings from Nick, Buffy and Louise in the office
 
Kind Regards
Buffy Mair

Further information:

London Scottish Football Club 

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