London Scottish's Match Preview

[Steve@Mose]

London Scottish v Moseley Preview

London Scottish return to home soil this coming Sunday, when they host a former traditional rival Moseley FC. Scottish will be looking to make amends for their loss at Doncaster Knights to ensure that they start to climb the league table.

Moseley football club were formed in 1873 through the fine gentlemen of Haverlock cricket club who wanted a winter sport when the cricket season had finished. Their original ground the Reddings was first leased in 1880 and remained their home for the next 118 years before the club went into administration in 1998. In the early years of the club they were pioneers of the game and in 1882 they became the first team to beat the touring New Zealand Maori side. From the mid 60's the club went through a golden age and the fixture list included all of the top Welsh and English sides of the time. For the next 15 years or so, the club enjoyed tremendous success in the National Cup competitions, winning the knock-out Cup in 1982, defeating Gloucester in the final.

Moseley have play at the Championship level or its equivalent since the 2006/7 season and have consolidated their position at this level ever since. Last season they finished 11th in the regular season and achieved safety in the relegation play offs. This season has seen the club win their last home game against Esher 35 - 21 and a commendable 27 - 27 draw at home to Cornish Pirates. It's on the road that Moseley have encountered their biggest challenge so far, without tasting success. Notwithstanding this, they will come to the Richmond Athletic Ground
determined to make life as difficult as possible for Scottish.

Moseley have a number of Scots in their squad and supporters should lookout for the following players who could well be turning out on Sunday; props Marshall Gadd and Colin Quigley, Scotland U20 flanker Michael Maltman and Scotland U20 centre Callum McBurnie.

This Sunday will be another tough encounter for the Scottish side. The opening games of the Championship have been a big learning curve on the standards required at this level and it is very clear from the performances so far that the Scottish side have the ability, skills and capability to succeed. The Scottish side will be fully determined to entertain the home supporters and achieve another home victory.

Let's get down to the match and cheer on the side. C'mon Scottish and see you all there!

We are also offering a fantastic family ticket deal for the Moseley game. For further information, please click here.

[Communications Team]

BIG MATCH PREVIEW - By Mike Pollak

London Scottish v Moseley
Sunday 2nd October 2011
The Athletic Ground, Richmond. KO 2.00

Gird your loins for this one

Leafy and leisurely Richmond could be anything but serene when Moseley matches up against London Scottish on Sunday – a stroll in the park it won’t be.

While it will be extremely pleasing that one of our traditional fixtures between illustrious rivals will be renewed, both teams will be hell bent on a win to boost their aspirations of achieving at least a mid-table slot by the end of the regular season. If garnering the spoils this weekend deprives either opponent of some precious points, then in the current harsh climate of league rugby, so much the better.

Last week Moseley triumphed in spectacular fashion after the coaches suggested in words of one syllable why the team found itself 13-14 down at half-time, despite having wind and slope advantage.

Their choice words clearly hit home as the Moseley players transformed a lacklustre first half form into an inspired display that saw them power to 35-14 ahead just 25 minutes into the second half. In so doing they proved to themselves – and their supporters – that they can be a match for anyone in this league if they bother to turn up for the full 80 minutes.

London Scottish Rugby Club was formed in 1878 – just five years after Moseley – and has supplied a staggering 220 or so Scottish internationals, not to mention four Lions captains. This compares with Moseley’s 75 international players and only a handful of national captains.

The low point in the club came after the game turned professional in 1996, though initially it competed well in the new era. In fact the Exiles were playing in the Premiership in 1998-99 when the professional club was forced into administration at the end of that season; the original amateur club rejoined the leagues at the bottom, but was effectively demoted nine leagues by the RFU.

With characteristic grittiness, the club has fought its way back up the leagues, gaining seven promotions in 11 years to now take a place in the Championship.

The Scottish celebrated this return to rugby’s second tier with a 16-11 victory against Rotherham in the first game of the new season. Since then, there have been three losses – away to Bristol and Doncaster, and home to Cornish Pirates.

Followers of form might like to note that London Scottish lost 37-28 away to Doncaster, while Moseley lost by a similarly modest margin, 29-21; the respective games against Pirates were equally well-matched – Scottish lost 23-25, with Mose drawing 27-27.
Moseley currently sits one place ahead of Scottish in the table with eight points to the Exiles’ five. Moseley will be keen to build on last weekend’s encouraging form, while Scottish will be aiming to halt a three game losing streak in the League.

It will certainly not be a place for faint hearts at The Athletic Ground. Let’s hope at the very least that the Moseley team turns up in earnest at kick-off this week, rather than at half-time.

Whatever happens the return of this traditional fixture will undoubtedly be well celebrated by members and supporters of both clubs in the usual post match analysis in the clubhouse.

[ale]

Massively looking forward to this game as I will be back in London and the weather looks like it will be perfect (if a little warm), and can't think of a better club than Scottish to enjoy a great game of rugby and their hospitality in London. Go Moses let's have a 5 pointer. ;D

[nev2214]

Based upon the results so far this weekend, a big effort from the lads culminating in a 5 point win by more than 7, would see us up to 5th!!!