Exiles take control in battle for survival

LONDON Scottish revived not just their season but potentially their future with a thumping win over their landlords in a game they had to win to keep their Championship status alive.

Bryan Redpath’s men moved one point ahead of bottom club Richmond in the table and will remain in the division if they beat Nottingham on Friday.

“I know what we’re capable of, and that’s been some time coming. We’ve played simple, basic rugby today and put our foot on the pedal at the right times,” Redpath said.

“In four or five games this season we’ve not managed those fine margins correctly and today we’ve not forced the issue. We’ve remained patient and executed at the right times.

“We’ll enjoy this but it’s now in our own hands and this will mean nothing if we can’t finish the job against Nottingham.”

From the minute the outstanding Cameron King barrelled over for their opening try, there was only ever going to be one winner, Scottish picking off an increasingly hapless Richmond at will.

Hooker Austin Wallis soon had a second and while he injured himself in the process, his replacement in Nathan Jibulu didn’t miss a beat.

As the penalties racked up against Rob Powell’s side, Scottish made them pay. King bashed down the door from a dominant scrum for number three and the bonus point score came before the interval, Luke Mehson kicking through a loose ball from deep inside the Scottish half to score in the corner.

Powell could only watch on in increasing disbelief as his group unravelled and even half opa

were taken by a Scottish side thriving on momentum and vociferous backing from the Athletic Ground stand.

It was summed up by a quite sublime covering tackle from Cameron Anderson, the midfielder tracking 40 metres to drag down Darren Atkins, who was hurtling towards the whitewash at a rate of knots. Never has there been a louder roar of appreciation for a tackle.

Alex Burrage’s penalty provided scant solace in the face of continued Scottish dominance after the break.

Cassius Cleaves showed why many are predicting a future right at the top of the game with a virtuoso effort just after the hour mark, going over untouched from 30 metres before Anderson and replacement prop Ryan Charalambous went over twice in quick succession late on to set up a special night in Nottingham next week.