ROSSLYN PARK 28–26 LONDON SCOTTISH
30/08/25
The 1st XV concluded their preseason campaign in style against Championship opposition at The Rock on Saturday, emerging victorious from a thrilling contest against London Scottish, with the two sides ultimately separated by a single conversion.
The Championship side shot out to an early 12-point lead thanks to a Harry Clayton try from the back of a maul, soon followed by a score out wide five minutes later by right wing Noah Ferdinand. Despite the difficult start, the 1st XV soon found their rhythm and began probing the Scottish defence, finally being rewarded with a try through Ewan Fenley as the scrum-half darted down the blindside and beat two men from a lineout deep in opposition territory. Ewan Fenley was involved again soon after when a miscue from the restart handed the visitors a scrum on the Park 5m line, but some brilliant defence from the no.9 at the fringes of the set-piece forced a Scottish error and prevented them from extending their lead. This proved crucial, as the next score went to Park, with Jack Digby powering over from close range after a combination of Harry Ledger and Benji Marfo had won a turnover penalty, giving Park a 5m lineout.
An unfortunate mid-air collision during a contest for a high ball shortly after resulted in a yellow card for skipper Arthur Ellis, and Scottish winger Matt Gribbon snuck in out wide to re-establish the visitors’ lead just before half-time.
Once Park returned to a full complement early in the second half, the 1st XV quickly regained the upper hand. A dominant 10-minute spell saw them win penalties at the scrum, the breakdown, and the maul to pin the opposition back, before the returning Arthur Ellis powered his way over the line. The Championship side showed resilience, however, and hit back through second-row Matt Wilkinson after a penalty gave them a platform to attack from a lineout deep in the Park 22.
A tense period followed the Wilkinson try as the 1st XV attempted to break down a resolute Scottish defence intent on protecting their lead. Park came agonisingly close with 15 minutes to go when some hard carrying and slick hands opened up space out wide for winger Will Panday, who raced to the line and dived over—only to be bundled into touch with the ball inches from being grounded. Encouraged by their ability to stretch the defence, Park launched another attack just a minute later. A sumptuous offload by Ledger and a neat 1-2 between Luke Mehson and Panday put the winger away for a well-deserved try.
The visitors did their best to snatch the result late on, but the 1st XV held firm to secure a brilliant win and remain unbeaten in preseason. Ultimately, it was the 100% accuracy from the tee by Park outside-halves Bill Johnston and Ed Morgan that proved the difference.
By Rhys Stratton
ROSSLYN PARK
Tries: Fenley (19’), Digby (31’), Ellis (53’), Panday (66’)
Conversions: Johnston (20’, 32’, 54’), Morgan (67’)
Penalties: —
Yellow Cards: Ellis (33’)
Team: Nwakor, Fraine, Charalambous, Bell, Martin, Ledger, Ellis, Digby, Fenley, Johnston, Marfo, Vaughan, Smith, Panday, Mehson
Replacements: Cameron, Woodward, Musa, Cade, Orchard, Screene, Redpath, Morgan, Kennaugh, Barrett, Volley, Robb
LONDON SCOTTISH
Tries: Clayton (3’), Ferdinand (8’), Gribbon (38’), Wilkinson (57’)
Conversions: Honey (9’, 39’), Wilstead (58’)
Penalties: —
Yellow Cards: —
Team: Prior, Clayton, Dimen, Wilkinson, Johnson, Ransom, Ingall, Marshall, Kerins, Honey, Ferdinand, Simonds, Talbot-Davies, Gribbon, Leslie
Replacements: Innes, Bentley, Hay, Spurway, Huis, Baker, Nutton, Wilstead, Lloyd-Seed, Sheppard, McCallum, Tuitaunovo
Up next: Rosslyn Park open their 2025/26 National One league campaign against the Dings Crusaders at The Rock!