It shouldn’t have come to this but a muddy 18 all draw against Moseley the week before created a showdown.
There were injury concerns with Steven Vile already out and Mark Giacheri picking up an injury playing for Italy in the weeks before. Thankfully "Chico" was able to start the game, as was Emmet Farrell who had a problematic calf for some time.
West started the game strongly and dominated the forward play – the only scores in the first half were from penalties first from Phil Belgian but then our injury woes continued as he limped off injured following a tackle by Mick Watson, Scottish’s number 8 and former West Player. He was replaced by Jon Benson who put us ahead and we went into the half time break 6-3 ahead, a score that did not reflect the possession that West had had.
The second half started much the dame with Emmett Farrel attacking the line aggressively. It was a break between the centres by him and a neat kick into the corner from which London Scottish conceded the line-out that led to West's try. From the line-out, West took a rolling the maul over the line for Ivan Morgan to score. The score was 11-3 and the buffer had been built up to allow the crowd to relax a little.
In one of their few excursions deep into West's territory, London Scottish were awarded a scrum for a dubious knock on. They won the ball, took it forward to a ruck 15m in field and Watson picked the ball up to drive forward the 10 metres and touch down under the posts. Scottish converted the try leaving West with only a one point advantage. A nervous last ten minutes saw West play a percentage game and somewhat comfortable saw the game out.
Cheers rang out around the ground that Promotion had been secured and only a 50 point defeat by League Champions the following week would hand the place back to London Scottish.
As it was we beat Bedford easily 48-29 on what would be the last 1st XV game played at Brierton Lane. We moved to Victoria Park the following season and the rest, as they say, is history.
West: Emmet Farrell, Michael Wood, Stephen John, Jamie Connolly, Hugo Bishop, Phil Belgian, Tu Nu'ual'itia, Steven Sparks, Andrew Peacock, Paul Beal, Phillipe Farner, Mark Giacheri, James Ponton, Mike Brewer, Ivan Morgan. Sub: Jon Benson.
London Scottish: Derrick Lee, Courtney Smith, Robert Todd, Ronnie Erikkson, Conan Sharman, Ian MacAusland, Dave Millard, Paul Johnstone, Gary French, Paul Burnell, Rob Hunter, Eddie Jones, Simon Fenn, Tom Davies, Mick Watson. Subs: Rhodri Davies, Gavin Thompson.
Wehad had had a good season, 15 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw, - Points for 617 against 431. We had a strong squad a mix of antipodean and local boys led by former All Black Mike Brewer. Jamie Connolly, Brett Cullinane & John Painter all played their part that season.
Our supporters travelled the country, led by the Wallis’s with beer and picnics in tow! They talked all the way there and sang all the way home – Malcolm walked miles that season up and down the bus – it was often joked that he walked all the way home.
We should have written a book from the antics that season but no one would have believed us:
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Lots of happy memories with a tinge of sadness thinking of those that we have lost in the 22 years – Phil Webber, Edie Stabler; Roz Pritchard and many more.
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We also lost Brierton Lane but out new home at Brinkburn is making up for it.
We’ve got a lot of Match reports for the Premiership Season which we will be sharing in the coming weeks – we may not have had the most successful season in the premiership but at least we can say we were there!