Welcome back to the Athletic Ground for our first match of the new decade! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed the Hogmanay celebrations.
Our attention now returns to the League and our Round 8 encounter against Bedford Blues. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the travelling Blues fans, the match officials and of course the London Scottish faithful.
Having picked up the win away to Jersey Reds at the end of last year, the Scots have had to wait a while to get back out on the playing field, let’s hope they can carry that winning momentum into this evening. The Exiles showed how impressive their defensive system is in the final 20 minutes of that match, I’m sure that this will be challenged tonight by the Blues.
After the festive season two-week break, the coaching staff have been keeping the players on their toes and working off any indulgences. Not only keeping their bodies in peak condition but also making sure they stay focused on the task in hand this week.
Over the New Year we were sad to lose one of our own, ex-Bs player Mark Whitehead. Mark was a lovely character who will be hugely missed in the Club and by his friends and family.
Looking back at today, Bedford currently lie five places below us in 11th place, having only secured one victory so far this season against Yorkshire Carnegie. Their losses haven’t been by big margins though, coming within five points of Newcastle Falcons at home is a prime example.
I’m sure, like us, the Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer will want to kick start 2020 with a win so tonight should be a great spectacle.