A desperately disappointing afternoon saw the Reds’ mood turn as nasty as the weather as London Scottish inflicted a first home defeat in the league this season. The Reds were hoping to move up the Christmas charts but ended up with just a losing bonus point by way of consolation. With bright and dry conditions giving way to wind and rain as the players warmed up, the Scots made a strong start and forced a stream of penalties from the home side, the third of which was kicked through the uprights by Will Magie. The Reds recovered and on their first serious visit to Scottish territory made ground from a maul. TJ Harris made a break for the line, and then another which saw him barge his way over for a try, well converted by Brendan Cope. Cope and Magie traded penalties during the closing stages of the half before the sides headed to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms. The Reds spent almost the whole of the third quarter in their opponents’ half but couldn’t come away with points, and Exiles’ fly-half Magie took advantage with some fine clearing kicks to put the home side on the back foot. Once they had gained a platform in the Reds 22, the Scots were ruthless, pressing forward in a series of phases before Bright spotted a chink in the defence as he picked up from the base of a ruck and cantered straight through to the posts. There were opportunities for the home side to win the game in the last 15 minutes, including several penalty awards, but possession was lost at two attacking lineouts and the visitors held out determinedly for the win Reds’ director of rugby Harvey Biljon said he was frustrated and disappointed by the outcome. “It was a very tough day at the office for both teams in those conditions, but we didn’t feel that we got the right reward from the breakdown and several critical decisions didn’t go our way,” he said.