London Scots beat weather for Esher clash

TODAY'S crucial National League One fixture between London Scottish and Esher has been given the go-ahead after a pitch inspection, leaving the way clear for the historic Scottish side to take a major step towards promotion to the new professional Championship.

A host of players and club members have turned out over the past two days to clear the Richmond pitches of snow, with extra help from GSK and their tools to help the operation.

A London Scottish spokesman said: "After a couple of weeks of this dreaded weather we are hugely pleased to play this fixture at this stage of the season instead of postponing it to another available date in May."

The club is expecting one of its largest crowds for some time with tickets on sale today from 12.30pm, and with London Scottish Regiment pipers, there is a plea for supporters to don their kilts in an effort to outdo what is expected to be a large travelling support for Esher.

The teams are joint leaders in National Division One, with both sides on 61 points, but Esher have a game in hand. The two are beginning to move away from the chasing pack, but with the season being only at the halfway point there is still a long way to go before any club can claim the automatic promotion spot to the new Championship, England's second tier, and for Scottish a return to the higher echelons of the game after a ten-year absence.