London Clash – 25 January 2019
London Skolars 22 London Broncos 36
Broncos gained revenge for their defeat in this game last season. The viistors side included many of their under 19 squad, but also included three of the side that won promotion to Super League in the Million Pound Game at the end of last season – Dan Hindmarsh, Rob Butler and Matty Davies.
Skolars absorbed some early pressure. After a strong run by Chris Ball, Skolars made an error under a high ball giving the visitors a scrum of the 20 metre line. Matty Davies was held up over the line at the end of that set and, after Skolars lost possession on their 30 metre line, Josh Hodson also got over the line, but could not get the ball down.
Skolars attacks were focussed on the right, often choosing to run the ball on the sixth tackle, but, first Omari Caro was bundled into touch, then Richard Wilkinson couldn’t hold onto a pass as he joined the attacking line.
Kai Pearce-Paul broke the deadlock opening up a large gap in Skolars’ left hand defence to touchdown. James Meadows caught the ball from the restart and raced past the on-coming defence, only being stopped midway into Skolars’ half. Matty Davies’ grubber kick had to be kicked out to the sidelines as Skolars conceded a goal-line drop-out. Gideon Boafo returned the ball, making a diagonal run to the left to score.
The home side’s next kick-off was better, earning them a scum on the ten metre line. Skolars then won the first penalty of the game after 27 minutes, with Wilkinson’s grubber earning his side a goal-line drop-out. However, after Charlie Lawrence was held up, they seemed to forget the tackle count and the attack petered out.
The second half saw an improved performance from Skolars, with Harrison Brough scoring outside. However, there was no stopping Boafo as he continued a Meadows’ break, racing from half-way to record a hat-trick. Skolars then scored two tries in three minutes on their favoured right side. First Jordan Williams brushed off the defence, then Mike Greenhalgh went over from close range. Williams set up Skolars’ fourth try as he drew the defence before offloading to Neil Thorman. who added his third conversion of the evening.
However, the final say went to Broncos and inevitably it was Boafo, who rounded the game off who left the defence in his wake again, this time from a Pearce-Paul break.
Skolars’ coach Jermaine Coleman felt that “we started well, but the same old demons of last season came back as we conceded tries in quick succession. We need to address that in the final phase of our pre-season over the next month.
LONDON SKOLARS
1 Richard Wilkinson
25 Harrison Brough
17 Omari Caro
4 Iliess Macani
5 Jerome Yates
6 Charlie Lawrence
7 Neil Thorman
10 Judd Greenhalgh
9 Xavier Rice
20 Michael Greenhalgh
11 Jordan Williams
12 Lamont Bryan
13 Liam Scott
Subs (all used)
22 Malakhi Lloyd-Jones
16 Matt Ross
18 Michael Sykes
15 Tommy Chipchase
21 Alfie Lawrence
24 Kayne-Chan Kitchener
23 Leighton Ball
14 Isaac Ah-Kuoi-Atmore
Tries: Brough (48), Williams (63), M Greenhalgh (66), Thorman (74)
Goals: Thorman 3/4
BRONCOS
1 Gideon Boafa
2 Alfie Edwards
4 Jacob Ogden
3 Josh Hodson
5 Max Clarke
6 Oliver Leyland
7 James Meadows
8 Rob Butler
9 Matty Davies
10 Daniel Hindmarch
11 Chris Ball
12 Kai Pearce-Paul
13 Sam Davis
Subs (all used)
14 Teddy Davidson
20 Rian Horsman
17 Adam Green
15 Rob Oakley
18 Christian Gale
19 Rory Gray
22 Delaine Belvard
21 Alex Deery
23 Isaiah Lowe-Stewart
16 Jacob Smith
Tries: Pearce-Paul (20.36), Boafa (24,33, 52,80). S Davis (31)
Goals: Leyland 3/5, Horsman 1/2
Penalty count: 6-3
Half-time: 0-26
Referee: Matt Rossleigh
Attendance: 400
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-10, 0-16, 0-22, 0-26; 6-26, 6-32, 12-32, 16-32, 22-32, 22-36
