Post by Jamie Crawford on Nov 21, 2023 12:53:13 GMT
London Scottish preview
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 15, Doncaster Knights v London Scottish, Castle Park Saturday 25th November, KO 2.30pm.
Third-placed Doncaster Knights welcome eleventh-placed London Scottish to their Castle (Park) in a game that both teams will be extra-eager to win. Scottish have played a game less than Cambridge but are only 3 league points below them. A win will give them a fighting chance of going tenth if Bridge lose at Goldington Lane v Bedford. The Knights want to save face and return fighting from their atypical manner of defeat to Coventry. Plus, the Knights would retake second place if the Cornish Pirates maraud Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
Scottish are eleventh in the Championship but they are 1 of 2 teams yet to win a game, as mentioned Cambridge are only above them courtesy of 3 bonus points.
Last Friday the Scottish exiles welcomed Ampthill and unfortunately lost 10-36 after being within a 4-point touching distance at the break (10-14). Scottish flanker Trenholme was first to touch the ball down for the Londoners after 10 minutes following a dive-over from a rolling maul. Right wing Talbot-Davies recorded their other score before the break after a good pass out wide from a maul. Scottish took the lead 10-7 briefly, there were no conversions or penalties scored. Ampthill scored by the winger side-stepping the defence to score after 3 minutes. Another Ampthill winger scored just before oranges (or is that too old?) after a chip-pass left him with open space, whilst being a man down. Another kick/chase led to Ampthill’s third try. Ampthill recorded 4 conversions and 1 penalty from the boot, that’s 11 points if my maths is correct! The Scottish scores were basic good rugby that the Knights should be able to defend, Ampthill exploited Scottish defence predominantly down the wings and spotting space for a kick-chase for the wings.
The Knights were sent to Coventry to play at their Butts Park Arena and had what is widely regarded as their worst day at the office for many years. They will need to up their game in front of a home crowd and hopefully show Cov how they can play with home advantage on 2nd March next year in the return fixture. Thre Knights leaked 8 tries to Cov in their 51-7 pounding, this will give Scottish hope that they can also score some tries. Knight hooker George Roberts scored our only try.
Despite their eleventh place, London Scottish have the fifth best defensive stats in the Championship, having leaked 16 fewer points than the Knights.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
Friday 24th November
Hartpury University (8) v Nottingham (5)
Saturday 25th November
Ampthill (2) v Cornish Pirates (6)
Doncaster Knights (3) v London Scottish (11)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Coventry (4)
Bedford Blues (7) v Cambridge (10)
Cov, Pirates, Blues and Scottish have all got a game in hand.
C’mon Knights play with pride and demonstrate how you can play and especially defend.
Remember the motto on the changing room wall, ‘defence wins games’.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 15, Doncaster Knights v London Scottish, Castle Park Saturday 25th November, KO 2.30pm.
Third-placed Doncaster Knights welcome eleventh-placed London Scottish to their Castle (Park) in a game that both teams will be extra-eager to win. Scottish have played a game less than Cambridge but are only 3 league points below them. A win will give them a fighting chance of going tenth if Bridge lose at Goldington Lane v Bedford. The Knights want to save face and return fighting from their atypical manner of defeat to Coventry. Plus, the Knights would retake second place if the Cornish Pirates maraud Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
Scottish are eleventh in the Championship but they are 1 of 2 teams yet to win a game, as mentioned Cambridge are only above them courtesy of 3 bonus points.
Last Friday the Scottish exiles welcomed Ampthill and unfortunately lost 10-36 after being within a 4-point touching distance at the break (10-14). Scottish flanker Trenholme was first to touch the ball down for the Londoners after 10 minutes following a dive-over from a rolling maul. Right wing Talbot-Davies recorded their other score before the break after a good pass out wide from a maul. Scottish took the lead 10-7 briefly, there were no conversions or penalties scored. Ampthill scored by the winger side-stepping the defence to score after 3 minutes. Another Ampthill winger scored just before oranges (or is that too old?) after a chip-pass left him with open space, whilst being a man down. Another kick/chase led to Ampthill’s third try. Ampthill recorded 4 conversions and 1 penalty from the boot, that’s 11 points if my maths is correct! The Scottish scores were basic good rugby that the Knights should be able to defend, Ampthill exploited Scottish defence predominantly down the wings and spotting space for a kick-chase for the wings.
The Knights were sent to Coventry to play at their Butts Park Arena and had what is widely regarded as their worst day at the office for many years. They will need to up their game in front of a home crowd and hopefully show Cov how they can play with home advantage on 2nd March next year in the return fixture. Thre Knights leaked 8 tries to Cov in their 51-7 pounding, this will give Scottish hope that they can also score some tries. Knight hooker George Roberts scored our only try.
Despite their eleventh place, London Scottish have the fifth best defensive stats in the Championship, having leaked 16 fewer points than the Knights.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
Friday 24th November
Hartpury University (8) v Nottingham (5)
Saturday 25th November
Ampthill (2) v Cornish Pirates (6)
Doncaster Knights (3) v London Scottish (11)
Ealing Trailfinders (1) v Coventry (4)
Bedford Blues (7) v Cambridge (10)
Cov, Pirates, Blues and Scottish have all got a game in hand.
C’mon Knights play with pride and demonstrate how you can play and especially defend.
Remember the motto on the changing room wall, ‘defence wins games’.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
