Rugby team makes winning return

On a beautiful spring afternoon in May the Law Society of Scotland Rugby Football Club made its long awaited return to the field, following a Covid-enforced hiatus of almost four years, taking on the Scottish Parliament RFC who play regular games against other parliament sides from across Europe.

Since LSSRFC’s last outing, a number of club stalwarts have hung up their boots and could not be tempted out of retirement. A recruitment drive (supported by the Journal) prior to the match was very successful, with around 15 new players from the Scottish profession signing up, and 11 debutants running out against the Parliament.

Following a number of late calloffs, however, LSSRFC only had 14 players available compared to the Parliament squad of at least 25. The Parliament very sportingly loaned a player – but LSSRFC needn’t have worried as they ran in their first try almost straight from the kickoff, and quickly took control with new standoff Finlay Smith (McEwan Fraser Legal) directing the team to great effect. Powerful running of new recruits Finlay Williamson (Thorntons Law) and Jacob Ramsay (Davidson Chalmers Stewart) – who turned out the following day for Caledonian in the Scottish District Rugby Championship – resulted in LSSRFC taking a commanding lead, and though the Parliament side rallied and scored a couple of tries of their own, LSSRFC ran out 98-19 winners in a very free flowing game. Try of the match goes to another new recruit, Fraser Hammond (Burges Salmon), finishing off a lovely team move.

Many thanks to the Parliament side for the game and for arranging facilities, a referee and food and drinks after the match. LSSRFC hope to play more regularly now and are looking to arrange another match later this year. Anyone interested in joining the side can email club captain Alistair Wood: alistair.wood@pinsentmasons.com.