Exiles hold on after Mantella’s brace

THE Exiles combined opportunistic attack with whole-hearted defence and recorded their second win over top four opposition this year.

Miles Mantella pounced for both Scottish tries, racing on to loose balls to touch down, after James Love’s assured kicking display had established an early lead. David Jackson scored for Nottingham after Scottish had been reduced to 13 men, but the home side held on bravely to record a third straight win in the Championship.

They are undefeated at the Richmond Athletic Ground since the start of November and sit in eighth place in the table with 30 points.

Nottingham missed the chance to leapfrog Bedford into second behind runaway leaders Newcastle Falcons, who have 65 points after 14 wins out of 14 this season.