SCOTLAND BRAVEHEARTS 28 SOUTH OF ENGLAND 34
MATT ANNIS, Mansfield Park, Hawick, Saturday
THE South of England, who were twelve points behind with time running out in a game played as a curtain-raiser to the Celtic Cup clash between Scotland and Ireland, staged a stunning rally to snatch a remarkable victory and put the previous week’s 22-12 defeat against the southern-based Australia/New Zealand Exiles behind them.
Dylan Stone sparked the revival on 68 minutes, Alex Deery quickly followed suit – Luke Drummond adding both conversions to restore parity – and, in the closing seconds, Ben McGuinness crashed over for the winning score, Drummond booting his fifth goal to earn the accolade of match-winner in a game in which both sides posted six tries.
Callum Dockerill, Charlie Whittington and, on the cusp of half-time, David Bofenda had crossed in the opening period to establish a 16-10 interval lead for the visitors.
David Donaldson and Dec Smith scored 15-man Scotland’s first-half tries, with Jordan Duncan, Smith again and Aaron Graham (twice) dotting down by the 65th minute, Jason Lee adding his second conversion.
South of England will complete a busy month with a fixture against Wales Dragonhearts at The Gnoll, Neath on Saturday, October 31.
BRAVEHEARTS: Sam Fellows, Declan Smith, Aaron Graham, David Anderson, Josh Morrison, JP Redmond, Jason Lee, Jamie Roberts, Jordan Duncan, Spencer Syme-Nicholson, Ethan Deakin, Ally Cessford, Kris Illingworth. Subs: Terry Logan, Kris Hendrie.
SOUTH: Eddie Atherton (North Herts Crusaders), David Bofenda (North Herts Crusaders), Leon Atherton (All Golds), Ben Telfe (Brixton Bulls), Callum Dockerill (Bedford Tigers), Alex Deery (North Herts Crusaders), Luke Drummond (Elmbridge Eagles), Max Nissinen-Li (Bedford Tigers), Doug Chirnside (London Chargers), Dom Stock (West Warriors), Finlay Holt (Sherwood Wolfhunt), Ben McGuinness (Brixton Bulls), Coryn Ward (Nottingham Outlaws). Subs: Sean Belbin (Elmbridge Eagles), Dylan Stone (Telford Raiders), Harry Kaufman (Coventry Bears), Charlie Whittington (London Chargers), Ben Foskett (Telford Raiders), Mason O’Neil (Medway Dragons), Will Armour (London Chargers).
Referee: Robbie Nevinson.
