Heartbreak for Exiles as Ampthill finish Strong

By DAVID CHALLIS

London S ……….. 19pts

Tries: Jurevicius 9, 25; Taulani 35

Conversions: Chamberlain 10, 26

Ampthill …………28pts

Tries: Harris 34, Strong 41, 79; Hartley 77

Conversions: Hardwick, 35, 42, 78, 80

LONDON Scottish looked set for a morale-boosting win at the Richmond Athletic Ground but were undone by two tries in the final five minutes.

Leading 19-14, Scottish defended valiantly until Connor Rankin scored in the corner on 77 minutes followed by Mark Strong two minutes later to leave the Exiles 10 points adrift at the foot of the table with just one win from 14 matches.

Head coach Joe Gary pointed to his side's inaccuracy, saying: “You cannot expect to play against any side in this league and make that many errors and still come away with a result.

“We have a long slog ahead of us and need to pull together as a side.”

The Exiles were good value for their early lead after back rower Matas Jurevicus grabbed two tries.

After a brief kicking exchange, inside-centre Harry Shepard made a scintillating break and found Sam Riley on his shoulder. He was tackled short but the ball was spun wide to the right and a deft kick forced a dropped ball which Jurevicus picked up to scamper over from a few metres out.

Scottish went close minutes later but good Ampthill defence held them out, however a powerful scrum meant that Jurevicus could pick up from a few metres out and seal his double.

Ampthill hit back after Scottish ill-discipline allowed Ampthill to gain field position and from a afew metres out they spread the ball wide and Ben Harris scored in the corner. The Exiles came again and after some powerful carrying around the 22 Viliami Tualani wrestled his way over the line to put Scottish back in the lead.

However, the second half proved for a change in fortunes.

Ampthill came out the blocks the fastest and mauled over through No.8 Strong.

Scottish then survived several periods of pressure before heartbreak struck. Amphtill tied in players before spreading the ball wide for Rankin to score in the corner with minutes left on the clock, the resulting conversion putting them ahead.

A penalty with seconds left on the clock left Ampthill metres out and Strong powered over in the corner for his second to seal the win.

A disappointing end for London Scottish after an impressive first half, but in the end, ill-discipline cost the home side, who will rue this missed opportunity to register their second win of the season.