'Stoke are still waiting to open their account

'STOKE failed to open their London division one account but put in a much-improved performance, fighting back from 0-14 down to make it 13-14, before their efforts caught up with them in the final 20 minutes.

Once again, the first half was a catalogue of unforced errors that led to far too many penalties conceded by 'Stoke.

Had the visitors had a more consistent kicker, 'Stoke would have been severely punished, as Scottish missed three kickable penalties in the first half.

The flow of the game wasn't helped by the referee Richard Howe, who gave more than 30 penalties during the game.

Three of those helped Scottish to a 0-9 lead after 22 minutes. Some resolute 'Stoke tackling also denied many scoring chances.

Both teams fell foul of yellow cards. The visitors' prop Andrew Binnie was a sinner on 19 minutes, while the returning hard tackling Elimon Chimbima was binned three minutes later.

Deep into first half injury time, 'Stoke lost coach and flanker Jim Dixon to a yellow card, as they were successfully defending their line. The offence was for playing the ball on the ground when Dixon was clearly on his feet.

As a result of the penalty, Scottish scored an unconverted try to lead 0-14 at the break.

'Stoke took the game to Scottish for 25 minutes of the second half and were the better side, putting phases of play together and forcing the visitors into conceding penalties.

Young Simon Humberstone, making his senior debut at fly-half, converted two out of three difficult penalties to make it 6-14 and rally the home support.

'Stoke continued to be the better side and were rewarded when Dixon made a good break into the visitors' 22. Held up seven metres out, Andy Wilson was on hand to crash over.

In blustery conditions, 17-year-old Humberstone nailed the conversion to reduce the deficit to one point and delight the Down Grange faithful.

Having fought back so well, it was now game on over the last 15 minutes, but London Scottish regrouped and finished strongly.

As well as running the ball at 'Stoke and enjoying a slice of luck, some poor defensive kicking helped their cause. Scottish scored a penalty and a converted try to extend their lead to 13-22 with five minutes to go.

Then on full-time, with 'Stoke trying to force the game, Scottish scored with the last play for seven more points for a final scoreline that didn't reflect the closeness of the game.

Impressive players for 'Stoke were Ross Stirling, who won good lineout ball; Dixon, who was always a threat in the loose; Chimbima, who put in some hard tackles; Humberstone, especially for his kicking; and fellow debutante Tom Northcote, who did some good work before going off with a shoulder injury.

Dixon said afterwards: "This was another step up for the team and we showed that when we play our own brand of rugby, we are competitive.

"I was pleased to hear our own supporters being vocal in their support

"Yet again, we let ourselves down with lack of discipline, giving away far too many penalties - most of them for the same infringement. The final score flattered Scottish."

'Stoke: Parsons, van Jaarsveld, Feausi, Chimbima, Rogers, Humberstone, Lilly-white; Perkins, Evans, Davenport (White), Wilson, Stirling, Appleby, Dixon, North-cote (Hampson).