Match reports 2009 - 2010: 1st XV

SCOUTS 45 LUTTERWORTH 7

 

April 17th 2010

 

On the warmest Saturday of the year so far it was suitable that this game was being sponsored by Bold Dragoon Cricket Club whose base in now at Scouts Rushmere Road ground.

As the loser would be within one game of relegation feelings were tense in the early exchanges with both sides feeling the pressure although the visitors were looking the most likely to score. Scouts were having to defend their line for sustained periods as Lutterworth set up several waves of attack whilst also denying Scouts use of the ball, although with a rare Scouts break prop Maurice Bazini set up Jordan Dolman who was dragged down inches short of the line. This pressure saw Scouts go behind after twelve minutes to a converted try after the Lutterworth backs had created space for their left winger to touch down. The visitor’s kicker had converted a difficult kick but then missed two far simpler penalty chances that would have put Scouts further behind and after twenty five minutes Scouts broke their duck when right winger Russell Lynch used his speed down the right wing to score an unconverted try.

Scouts were rejuvenated by the try and set about increasing their lead. Swift handling and excellent offloading resulted in fly half Jonno Peck slicing through the visiting defence and he drew the last man to put Alan Ferguson in for a try which he converted himself. Just before the break full back Ferguson chased a hopeful kick ahead and as the Lutterworth defence failed to control the wickedly bouncing ball on the hard surface he was on hand to dot down a further try and again convert to increase the lead.

A twelve point margin at half time was more than Scouts could have wished for, particularly after the first quarter’s pressure they had in the main successfully stemmed.

It was important to score first in the second half and Scouts were again on song with their handling moves and it was left to teenage flanker Dolman to switch the attack to the blindside and score after handing off a would be tackler near the line. Ferguson was narrowly wide with the conversion attempt.

It was all out attack now from the home side as they entertained the crowd with their ball handling skills and Jonno Peck danced through to touch down under the posts for Ferguson to notch the easy conversion. With the game nearing conclusion Scouts were still on the points trail to give them as big a gap as they could from any rivals and with a couple of minutes to go Lynch appeared on the opposite wing and after an outrageous sidestep ran fully forty metres virtually unopposed. Ferguson added the extras and from the kick off an immediate Scouts attack saw him on hand to touchdown to complete his hat-trick and the subsequent conversion gave him a match haul of 25 points.

Although it is still mathematically possible for Scouts to be in the bottom two it looks as if they have escaped and they can assure themselves of Level Seven rugby next season with a good result at Market Harborough on Tuesday night.

 

LEICESTER FOREST 17 SCOUTS 17

 

April 10th 2010

 

A thrilling encounter ended with honours even as both sides were battling hard for the points. The result in the end was that Forest are probably clear of relegation whilst Scouts still have two games left to hopefully clear the bottom two.

On a sunny spring afternoon, and a hard pitch, both sides set out to entertain as they threw the ball about and it was Scouts that drew first blood after ten minutes. Full back Alan Ferguson swept up a hopeful kick from the hosts and set off in pursuit of the line with Scouts players in support and after the ball had passed through several pairs of hands number eight Tom Poole was on hand to race through and crash over. Ferguson added the extras.

Almost immediately from the kick off Scouts were establishing an attack when a loose pass in mid field was intercepted by the Forest centre to stroll over under the sticks and the simple conversion put the scores back level again. Another Ferguson break from defence put Scouts in the Forest twenty two and following some good second phase ball Tom Chambers drop goal attempt just squeezed inside the post to put the visitors back in front.

Forest continued to attack down the slope and a swift passing movement left their speedy right wing a clear run in from some 40 metres but he had not allowed for covering fly half Jonno Peck who brought off a magnificent try saving tap tackle to stop the score. The hosts then had a penalty chance turned down when Scouts Touch Judge was unsure if it had gone inside the upright and with the Forest official nowhere to be seen the referee awarded a drop out much to Scouts relief.

With the half drawing to a close Scouts increased their lead, Advantage was being played when Peck decided to drop the ball and opt for the penalty. The following line out was cleanly won by Scouts and the ball was driven towards the line and when it was eventually produced for the backs Ferguson was stopped close to the line and left winger Richard Slinn had followed up to receive the pass and dot down for Ferguson to again convert.

The second half again saw both sides on the attack and again the defences were mainly holding out with Jordan Dolman being stopped inches short and unable to reach out for the line. Forest reduced the deficit to a single score with some neat inter-passing that eventually created space for the score. Immediately after this Scouts had a penalty on half way and Ferguson thought that he had nailed it as it swirled in the breeze only to clip the inside of the right post and drop back into play.

Scouts continued on the offensive in their attempt to increase the lead but were undone when desperate defence conceded a penalty which was duly converted to level the contest.

Next week Scouts face an all important battle at home to Lutterworth on Saturday and then complete their league programme with a visit to Market Harborough on Tuesday night.

 

SCOUTS 36  AYLESTONE ST JAMES 24

 

April 3rd 2010

 

Scouts thought that they had won this game in the first half and then contrived to let their opponents back into the match and from a comfortable position at the break it all became rather hectic in the latter stages

The first ten minutes saw an all out attack by ‘Jimmies’ as they camped on the Scouts line. Wave after wave of driving off the side of rucks and mauls were met by an impressive Scouts defence that held the visitors out. Several drives were stopped inches short of the line and the visitors resorted to attempted kicks at goal in their frustration at not getting over the line. After a failed drop goal attempt and a fluffed penalty shot ‘Jimmies’ were left scoreless and Scouts then showed them how to cross the white wash.

A classic movement across the field allowed Scouts forwards to set up quick ball and from the ensuing ruck the ball was swept back across the pitch to left winger ‘Billy Whizz’ Harbottle to touch down wide out for an unconverted try. ‘Jimmies’ did manage to score a penalty seven minutes later which was soon cancelled out by an Alan Ferguson penalty for Scouts.

The last ten minutes of the half was all Scouts as they went on the rampage to score seventeen unanswered points. With the forwards on top they were awarded a penalty try after the referee had warned ‘Jimmies’ about their collapsing tactics and Ferguson converted before adding a penalty. The final try of the half came after good running by teenage flanker Jordan Dolman released full back Ferguson who slipped his markers to touch down and convert.

‘Jimmies’ made some tactical changes at half time and showed far more enterprise in the back division than they had done previously. Two converted tries in the first quarter of an hour, with only a Ferguson penalty in reply, saw the gap narrow considerably and Scouts were back peddling fast until Ferguson stepped up again to intervene in a move and score his second of try of the afternoon.

To their credit Aylestone St James weren’t finished and their replacement centre, who had caused panic in the Scouts defence since his introduction, used his skill to chip over Scouts back line and re-gather to touch down for an excellent individual try to again narrow the gap to 2 scores.

With ten minutes remaining Ferguson banged over his fourth penalty of the afternoon to give himself a match haul of 26 points. Scouts then introduced Sparky Holliday and Jason Inwood, of couple of experienced forwards, to calm the nerves and help run down the clock for a well deserved win.

This result saw Scouts jump up two places in the league but with six clubs still in the melting pot for the second relegation spot it looks like all will not be over until the fat lady has her say.

 

SCOUTS 38 HUNTINGDON 6

 

March 27th 2010

 

Scouts turned out in a determined mood as they try to claw their way from the bottom echelons of the league.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine and it was an ideal day for running rugby. The game ebbed and flowed for the first twenty five minutes without a score, although Huntingdon missed a penalty attempt early on. Stags were hit with a triple blow after this when they lost two players to injury and then Scouts full back Alan Ferguson got on the end of a neat passing movement to touch down wide out on the left. Ferguson pushed the conversion attempt narrowly wide of the posts.

The Stags did manage to slot a penalty before Scouts increased their lead when fly half Jonno Peck managed to squeeze in the right corner just before half time. Ferguson converted with an excellent kick from the touchline before Huntingdon kicked a second penalty.

Peck added his second immediately after the break when he slid through a non existent Stags defence and Scouts were now looking to press on for victory.

The last twenty minutes was all Scouts and diminutive winger ‘Billy Whizz’ Harbottle ran in a hat-trick of tries. His first came from good support running and some sharp feet as he danced his way over for Ferguson to convert. Ferguson then came off, together with flanker Maurice Bazini, to a round of applause from the crowd in appreciation for their efforts.

A loose ball was expertly snaffled up by Tom Chambers in mid field and an inside pass found Harbottle on hand to race in. With the game reaching its conclusion Harbottle was again on hand in a length of the field move to dot down and complete his hat-trick. Peck converted both to give Scouts the result they needed.

Mention must be made of referee Mike Speakman who gave an excellent performance with the whistle and allowed the game to flow.

 

 

SCOUTS 23 VIPERS 20

 

March 13th 2010

 

Scouts avenged a narrow defeat earlier in the season with a good win against third placed Vipers.

The visitors took an early seven point lead before Scouts gradually increased the pressure to gain control of the first half. Initially, full back Alan Ferguson slotted two penalties to put Scouts on the board and then added the extras to winger Russell Lynch’s try after he had rounded his opposite number to touch down.

Scouts now had the upper hand and Ferguson converted another penalty to see Scouts into the break 16 – 7 in front.

Vipers must have had something in their half time drinks as they came out a completely different side in the second half. An early penalty was soon followed by two unconverted tries which regained the lead for the away side going into the last quarter of the contest.

A change was necessary and Scouts moved Toby Chambers, who had been making a good fist of it in his first start as a flanker, back into his more accustomed role of outside centre. This proved to be the match winning move when, following several phases of play, the ball was switched back inside and Chambers ran a good line off the stand off to slice through and score. Ferguson continued with his excellent kicking form with a successful conversion and Scouts ran the clock down to gain two valuable points.

converted.

 

 

BANBURY 39 SCOUTS 3

 

March 6th 2010

 

Scouts were beaten by the better side although as Banbury openly admitted the score flattered the hosts.

Playing uphill against a strong wind Scouts played some extremely lively running rugby considering they have been fairly inactive due to the weather over the past two months.

Several attacks came close without reward and as these games go the first break by the Bulls resulted in a try. Scouts continued to press for most of the half against the elements with the only reward being an Alan Ferguson penalty close to half time. Unfortunately for Scouts two further breaks by the home back row had resulted in two further tries and Scouts went into the second half 22 – 3 down.

The second half was fairly similar and Scouts showed plenty of enterprise in their attacks but they continued to panic near the line and lost the ball on several occasions or gave away some strangely awarded penalties.

Banbury, again led by their back row break outs, scored a penalty and two further converted tries to seal the win and keep their slot at the top of the table.

Scouts next four league games are at home as they battle to pull out of the bottom two.

 

SCOUTS 17 BBOB 0

 

February 6th 2010

 

 A more spirited and determined Scouts side showed their true colours with an emphatic win over town rivals BBOB.

 

Youngsters Tom Greasley [prop] and Tom Hume [second row] were welcome additions to Scouts pack after lengthy injury lay offs, but the former unluckily sustained another injury not long into the game and was replaced by veteran Tim Setchell for the remainder of the match.

 

The home side dominated possession and it was no surprise when they took the lead with Alan Ferguson making amends for an earlier miss and converting a penalty after 23 minutes.

Constant pressure was beginning to wear the visitors down and quick ball down the line saw right winger Russell Lynch beat his man to score. Ferguson added the extras to give Scouts a comfortable ten point lead at the break.

 

With so much pressure Scouts were looking to take total control but unforced errors and turnovers saw them failing to increase their advantage, although any likelihood of a BB comeback was thwarted by sound defence.

 

Scouts did eventually settle matters when good defence set up a turnover in Scouts favour and back rower Dan Warren gassed in from thirty metres out and Ferguson converted.

 

OLD NEWTONIANS 3 SCOUTS 27

 

January 23rd 2010

 

 

Scouts belated start to the New Year after an extended Christmas lay off, which had meant a five week break, saw a very different team take to the field from the one that finished 2009.  Ian Mellor came in at scrum half with James Nimmo moving to 10 and the two Chambers brothers paired up in the centres.  In addition Tom Poole moved from No 8 into the second row with Dan Warren moving from 6 to 8 and colt Jordon Dolman being introduced for a start on the blindside.

Following a feisty game at Rushmere Road earlier in the season Scouts were geared up for the battle. On a heavy pitch Scouts started playing down the slope and quickly went into a 3-0 lead thanks to a penalty from full back Alan Ferguson. Scouts controlled possession for the next 20 minutes, finally scoring a well worked try from James Nimmo, following good work down the left from Alan Ferguson and some great offloading between Tom Chambers and Nimmo.  This allowed Scouts to enter the break with an eight point lead but still with plenty of work to do up the slope.

The second half started slowly with Scouts still dominating possession, but mistakes at crucial times allowed Old Newts to stay in the game.  Newts scored a penalty on 15 mins to make it 3-8 which seemed to wake up the visitors.  A crossfield kick was gathered by Russell Lynch who ran 40 metres and beat both the winger and full back to touchdown for Ferguson to add the extras. From here on in Scouts controlled the game which led to an unconverted try for Dan Warren, and finally in the dying minutes, following a sin binning for replacement hooker Jason Inwood, Alan Ferguson intercepted and ran 70 metres to score a try which he converted to give himself and give Scouts two very welcome league points. 

This was a satisfying win for Scouts after a long lay off but it was against the bottom team in the league and Scouts will need to keep improving in their efforts to climb up the league to safety.

SCOUTS 6 LEICESTER FOREST 10

 

December  12th 2009

 

Having lost last week in a game that they should have won Scouts finished this game rueing some mistakes in a game they could have won?

 

The home side took the game to Forest in an attempt to not be playing catch up rugby again and constant pressure eventually saw Alan Ferguson convert a penalty. Mid way through the half a Tom Poole break was well supported by skipper Dan Warren and when the attack had been illegally stopped Ferguson slotted his second penalty of the afternoon.

A high up and under by the Forest half back created havoc as both sides failed to control the bouncing ball but it eventually spun out in the visitors favour and they found enough space in the middle of the park to touch down.

Scouts were still leading by a solitary point at the break and continued to press forward in the second half. Forest were relying on scraps of possession and counter attacked whenever possible which led to them butchering a couple of try scoring opportunities that would have put them into the lead.

Forest did eventually score what turned out to be the match winner when another break saw Scouts short of numbers on the left and although they forced the ball wide a missed tackle allowed the try to be scored.

HUNTINGDON 15 SCOUTS 11

 

December 5th 2009

 

Due to the referee being held up the game kicked off late and it was the visitors that were looking the liveliest at the start.

Ten minutes of pressure by Scouts were unrewarded and they fell for the sucker punch when a dropped ball was scooped up by a Stags player in space who then ran for the line and his final pass created a questionable try for the home side. The only argument between the two sets of supporters on the touch line was how much further than a yard was the pass forward.

Scouts again went on the attack and a full back Alan Ferguson neatly returned a kick ahead to race through and at the stoppage Scouts gained a penalty but unfortunately the kick sailed wide.

Huntingdon kicked a penalty to increase their lead and Scouts were looking forward to playing down the slope when a rumble by the Huntingdon pack allowed their backs to create a try under the sticks on the stroke of half time.

Scouts again found themselves playing catch up rugby after the break and they made all the running in the second half.

A driving maul early on saw number eight Dan Warren touch down on his welcome return from injury. Ferguson missed the conversion attempt from wide out but made amends with a penalty soon after. Scouts continued to battle hard to no avail and another Ferguson penalty rounded off the scoring as Scouts were again left to question the points given away at the start as the game finished with Scouts totally on top.

SCOUTS 17 BANBURY 22

 

November 28th 2009

 

Scouts were not tuned in when they kicked off and subsequently gifted Banbury two early tries in the first quarter of an hour. Neither was converted and it looked as if the home side were in for a long afternoon until they stepped out of their lethargic mood to take the game to Banbury.

This renewed vigour saw Alan Ferguson slot a penalty to reduce the deficit and some incisive running and support play by Scouts resulted in Toby Chambers putting winger James Dolman in enough space for him to race clear and touch down. Full back Ferguson missed the difficult conversion but did put Scouts into the lead with a penalty on the stroke of half time.

Scouts were looking far more positive than in previous weeks although they were victims of another giveaway try just after the break which put them back to chasing the scoreline. Several driving runs by the forwards and some telling breaks by the backs saw Scouts make inroads into the Bulls half as they had most of the possession but when it came to it there was a lack of support for the ball carriers and good ball was turned over. Ferguson did reduce the arrears with another penalty mid way through the half and added his fourth near the end but unfortunately Banbury had returned an up field punt to score in the meantime.

Overall the game was played in excellent spirit and was well refereed by Mark Sheridan from the Gloucester Society and Scouts, although disappointed with the result, will take plenty of positives from their performance.

   

 

AYLESTONE ST JAMES 8 SCOUTS 8

 

November 14th 2009

This may run alongside the England match as one of the worst games witnessed by those attending.

 

With a strong wind blowing across the pitch Scouts had all the territory for the first half hour and kept Aylestone pinned in their own half. When Jimmies did get the ball all they did was try to pick and drive or maul the ball up the park, and when they dropped the ball Scouts got it back, rivetting stuff!!

Ten minutes in was the only time the hosts tried to go wide and James Dolman intercepted to run in 40 metres to score and put Scouts five points ahead.

On the half hour there was a hold up for an hour while injured Scouts winger Arran Ashmore was attended to and he was eventually removed to hospital with a dislocated knee.

The game was restarted with a Scouts penalty which was converted by Jonno Peck.

 

In the second half Scouts forgot about playing for territory and decided to spend most of the half in their own 22, never looking in danger of conceding but giving away penalty after penalty. Aylestone kicked one making it 8-3, and Scouts drifted back into defending mode.  Finally Scouts cleared their lines going into injury time but allowed Jimmies to run back at them. Hero of the first half Dolman became the villain when he stepped out of the line to attempt another interception which was unsuccessful and a try was scored to level the scores and luckily for the visitors the conversion was missed.

 

 

 

SCOUTS 10 TOWCESTRIANS 7

 

November 7th 2009

 

The visitors scrummage was a dominant force in the first period and they used this as a weapon to camp in the Scouts half of the pitch.

With Scouts fighting hard to keep Tows at bay it then became inevitable that after several warnings a penalty try was awarded by the Liverpool Society referee. The try was duly converted.

Although Scouts eventually started to work their way into the game, and were attacking in Tows 22, they looked in danger after losing the ball. With Scouts players out of position the Tows found themselves with four players and only Scouts winger James Dolman to beat which would have given them a great chance of a potential scoring counter attack.

However, Dolman had other ideas and took a gamble to intercept the ball and stroll over for Alan Ferguson to level the scores before half time.

With the wind and low sun at their backs the home side gradually began to dominate proceedings. Fly half Tom Chambers and Ferguson, in his more accustomed full back position, began to make excellent ground with probing kicks and also returned balls with interest at every opportunity.

This put Scouts on the front foot for long periods and as their pack then began to gain in confidence they were awarded several penalty chances. Chambers and Ferguson shared the attempts and eventually Ferguson knocked over what was arguably the hardest from the half way to put Scouts in the lead for the first time.

Twenty minutes still remained on the clock at this point and the game continued in a close hard fought battle which Scouts justifiably won as they ran the clock down and earn the two points.

Coach Chris Parr was not at the game as he was watching Scouts product Courtney Lawes gain his first England cap but he celebrated long into the night with the Club President at Twickenham.

 

BELGRAVE 20 SCOUTS 12 - INTERMEDIATE CUP

 

October 24th 2009

 

Maybe it was the deluge of rain during the warm up that caused the first twenty minutes of this match to be such an indescribable affair. Neither side could catch, pass or create anything constructive in this spell with the only score coming from a penalty converted by the Belgrave kicker.

Scouts eventually started to get into gear and after kicking away a scoring chance two minutes earlier James Dolman then scored a classic winger’s try when he showed his opposite number the inside before leaving him for dead as he ran round under the posts. Alan Ferguson added the extras.

Two defensive mistakes allowed the hosts to score two tries before the break but Dolman harassed the kicker on both occasions to force him to miss easy kicks.

Scouts made some changes during half time and looked more lively for the first fifteen minutes, camping themselves on the Belgrave line without success.

The mid field began to get cluttered up again with several mistakes and eventually Belgrave emerged to score what turned out to be the winning score. Full back Russell Lynch dotted down for a well worked last minute try for the visitors in a move that could only emphasise the fact that if they had played the game like that from the start Scouts would have cruised though to the next round.

 

SCOUTS 35 OLD NEWTONIANS 8

 

October 17th 2009

 

There was a more cheerful atmosphere at Rushmere Road on Saturday night after Scouts had broken their league duck with an emphatic victory over Old Newts.

 

Scouts started the game wearing their away strip of red shirts after the referee suggested that there was a colour clash.

 

The first five minutes were littered with mistakes as both sides tried to get the upper hand and this resulted in scraps at every breakdown. Both sides received penalties and Newts converted once to give them an early lead.

Good play by Scouts resulted in plenty of territorial advantage which eventually resulted in Toby Chambers dotting down wide out. Alan Ferguson, playing at fly half instead of his preferred position of full back, could not make the conversion and was adjudged to have missed a long range drop goal attempt soon afterwards.

Although Ferguson was not having the best of days with penalty shots at the posts he was managing to expertly keep Scouts on the attack with neat chips over the visitors defence. One of these chips saw ‘Billy Whizz’ Harbottle touch down for Ferguson to convert and then the fly half put away a penalty on the stroke of half time.

The first half had been extremely scrappy but there had only been one side in the game and this continued throughout the second half. Within ten minutes of the restart Scouts had built an unassailable lead as firstly Ferguson chipped over a simple penalty and then added the extras to a second Harbottle try which was an action replay of his first.

Scouts were standing their ground and relishing the thought of victory as they continued to put the visitors on the back foot but a lack of focus allowed Newts to make a rare excursion into Scouts territory which resulted in a try mid way through the half.

Ferguson was becoming more adventurous as he was becoming accustomed to his new role. Having spotted an opening on the blind his back flipped pass was quickly latched on to and Chambers crossed for his second. Number eight Dan Warren rounded off the scoring when he toe poked the ball forward and then picked up to stride over with flourish.

 

VIPERS 7 SCOUTS 6

 

October 10th 2009

 

On a slightly blustery day the Vipers home pitch was in fantastic condition and overall the crowd were expecting a good game of open rugby.

 

Scouts started off in far better style than in previous weeks and the several changes in the team seemed to gel from the off. However, with arguably eighty percent territorial advantage the visitors could not prise open the Vipers defence and only turned round six points to the good, courtesy of two Alan Ferguson penalties.

 

Although Vipers were a little more fired up after the break Scouts were still looking the more likely to score but that changed mid way through the half. Scouts turned over a scrum but then lost the ball against the head when the hosts put on a good push. This resulted in the ball being quickly transferred to Vipers best player on the right wing and he managed to avoid all tacklers to dot down in the corner. Vipers kicker, who for some reason had refused several easy kicks earlier, then slotted the conversion from the touchline.

 

At this point it was obvious that Lady Luck was not going to be on the side of the Scouts and this was proved when a well struck penalty attempt by Ferguson drifted straight across in front of the posts to avoid going over.

Although Scouts performance was positive and they played to the game plan they rued the missed opportunities that would have sealed the game before the break. Positive performances came from scrum half Ian Mellor, on debut, and centre John Ballance.

 

Scouts, still looking for their first win, are at home this Saturday against Old Newtonians.

excellent running by the BB backs saw two more tries conceded to seal the game.

 

 

BBOB 35  SCOUTS 18

 

October 3rd 2009

 

Scouts start off well at a blustery St Andrews Road with the forwards on top and took the lead though a penalty by Alan Ferguson from wide out.

This score seemed to fire up the home side more than the visitors and a gradual flow of ball was well worked along their back line to create twenty five points before the break. Dan Warren did lead a fight back as the half closed with a magnificent try from deep which was converted by Ferguson.

A Ferguson penalty ten minutes into the second half gave Scouts hope but some excellent running by the BB backs saw two more tries conceded to seal the game.

 

Flanker Chris Varygas was on hand to have the last word with a will worked try in the last minute when Scouts were down to fourteen players after a red card had been issued.

 

 

SCOUTS 19 MARKET HARBOROUGH 22

 

September 26th 2009

 

Scouts fell behind after two minutes to a penalty for handling in a ruck, although the ball popped out off an opposition leg and when the player questioned the decision Scouts were marched back 10 metres and the penalty was converted.

 

A further penalty decision was questioned and again Scouts were marched back. Harborough kicked to the corner, employed a lineout catch and drive and were rewarded with a try and conversion.

Before the break two more tries and one conversion were conceded both against the run of play, one from turn over on the goal line at the other end of the pitch which was ran back 90 metres!

 

Half time 22-0 down

 

Coach Chris Parr reminded the players of the game plan during half time and they came out more focused. Fly half Jonno Peck controlled the game with kicks to the corners and good chasing from Billy Harbottle and James Dolman resulted in an early try from Dan Warren.

A great finish out wide from James Dolman converted by Jonno Peck mid way through the half brought the home side back into contention. Continual pressure maintained in opponents 22 resulting in a charged down clearance kick and a try from Mark Franklin converted by Peck brought the score to 19-22 but with the point’s deficit from the first half it proved just too much to overhaul and Harborough held on for a win which but for a lack of discipline early on they were lucky to come away with.

 

SCOUTS 27 LEICESTER LIONS 2NDS 29

 

September 19th 2009

 

This was as hard a game as the score line suggests and was won by the visitors in the seventeenth minute of time added on with the last move of the match. It was unclear as to why so much time was added although the watch was passed to the referee for the Manchester soccer derby the next day?

 

Scouts were looking a lot sharper than in previous weeks and opened up an early lead when Tom Poole crashed over after good work from the forwards.

Within five minutes flanker Luke Reeves increased Scouts lead after he had shown the backs how to step in and out, twice leaving two of the visitors on their backsides, before dotting down in the corner. Good lines of running by the Scouts were consistently opening up the Lions defence and they should have increased their lead but the odd pass was going astray near the line.

Prop Maurice Bazini was forced from the field with a head injury in an incident not spotted by the referee and during the extra time added on Lions crossed for a converted try to leave the score at 10 -7 to the hosts at the break.

In the second half Jonno Peck knocked over a simple penalty and added the extras after good support running by replacement Andy Betters saw him latch on to the ball and stretch out over the line.

A rolling maul from Lions saw them reduce the deficit but Scouts looked like they had set up victory soon after. A storming run out of defence by Lions burly second row Sam Rouse [East Midlands RDO] eventually saw a loose pass in the visitors back division intercepted by Andy Betters and he ran in unopposed from half way for Peck to covert.

With Scouts tiring the semi professional Lions, whose first team play in the National Leagues, continued to claw themselves back into the game and as they got closer a break away from the hooker sealed last gasp victory in a match that neither side deserved to lose.

 

LUTTERWORTH 39  SCOUTS 3

 

September 12th 2009

 

A disappointing start to the league campaign for Scouts although the scoreline does not totally reflect the match.

Overall Scouts had plenty of possession but were hit on the counter attack by Lutterworths strong running back division who scored five of the home sides tries from breakouts within their own half after Scouts attacks had broken down.Josh Stannard opened the scoring with a penalty for Scouts and Lutterworth responded with two tries in as many minutes and added a further before the break to lead by 20 points to 3.Scouts continued to attack and following a dubious decision, when the home defence was nowhere near ten metres from a tap penalty on the half way, they broke away to score with Scouts stranded in disbelief.

With confidence growing, and Scouts down to fourteen men due to injuries, the home side executed two further tries from long range to round off the victory.

 

SCOUTS 12 OLD LAURENTIANS 27

 

September 5th 2009

 

Scouts new look side started off the season with a friendly against OL’s in a game that never really sprung into life and it was only memorable for the fly past by the Red Arrows fifteen minutes into the game.

 

A penalty and an unconverted try gave the visitors an early lead which was reduced by a questionable try from hooker Rich Howard before the break.

 

Three tries from OL’s, plus two conversions, sealed the match in the second half as some missed tackles allowed them through. Replacement winger James Dolman earned a consolation try when he raced in down the right following good work at a lineout. Josh Stannard converted from the touchline.