Rosslyn Park 26–38 London Scottish
17/10/26
Rosslyn Park fell short against a well-drilled London Scottish side at The Rock in their National 1 Round 7 clash, losing 26–38. First-half tries from Robbie McCallum, Alex Earnshaw and Will Rigelsford helped the visitors take the spoils on derby day.
The first half started tensely as both teams felt each other out, before multiple penalties put Scottish on the front foot and McCallum powered over from close range to score, with Will Butler’s boot ensuring they got the full seven points.
Park reacted immediately, with Fred Davies claiming a try from a dominant maul in the Scottish 22. However, straight from the kick-off, a mistimed catch saw Earnshaw collect the ball and score.
It would take until the 27th minute for Park to reduce the deficit. Some clever interplay in the midfield put Park on the Scottish line, and this time Danny Cutmore used his power to go over, with Rory Jennings’ boot ensuring it was only a two-point deficit.
But again, Scottish struck back just a minute later. A move off a lineout on halfway put Rigelsford through to score.
Park would get another one back, though. Following another series of penalties, Cam King went through a gaping hole to score under the posts.
Scottish would take a five-point lead into the second half, as Park were penalised for not rolling away in their 22 and Butler extended the lead by three points, while also benefiting from a man advantage after Jennings saw yellow for a high shot.
Scottish started the second half the brighter of the two teams. This time, some clever play from the backs saw Matt Gribbon stride in to score.
Things then got worse for Park with half an hour to go, as more sustained pressure put Scottish on the Park line before Cameron Murphy barrelled over, with Butler’s conversion making it a 19-point lead.
Over the next 20 minutes, both sides played through the phases, but neither could get over the line.
London Scottish would then see consecutive yellow cards. First, in the 61st minute, Callum Torpey saw yellow for a high tackle, before Theo Vukasinovic was sent to the bin in the 66th minute for the same infringement.
Eventually, in the 70th minute, Ben Murphy dived over from close range after multiple phases on the line, with Park making the most of the extra men.
But it wouldn’t be enough to bring Park back into the game, and Scottish came away with a 26–38 win.
Rosslyn Park
Tries: Davies (19’), Cutmore (27’), King (36’), Murphy (70’)
Conversions: Jennings (28’, 36’, 70’)
Penalties: n/a
Yellow Cards: Jennings (39’)
Team: Wade, Davies (C), Wheeler, Bell, Cutmore, Cleet, Elston, Hosking, Redpath, Jennings, Coe, Vaughan, Hopson, Trimble, Walker
Replacements: Fraine, Murphy, King, Fenley, Glackin
London Scottish
Tries: McCallum (14’), Earnshaw (20’), Rigelsford (31’), Gribbon (43’), Murphy (49’)
Conversions: Butler (14’, 21’, 32’, 44’, 50’)
Penalties: Butler (38’)
Yellow Cards: Torpey (61’), Vukasinovic (66’)
Team: Prior, Clayton, Murphy, Golder, Vukasinovic, Spurway, Main, Wilkinson, Rigelsford, Butler, Gribbon, McCallum, Moyse, Earnshaw, Yandall
Replacements: Torpey, Bentley, Harmen, Law, Boyle