Agony for Skolars as they nearly pulled off their first league victory of the season, but with less than two minutes to go Austen Aggrey lost the ball on the line in the midst of several defending Scorpions at The Gnoll. It was close for most of the game with the first points only coming in the 33rd minute, although Skolars had several chances early on. Jason Cook was bundled into touch close to the line, soon followed by Jarloslaw Obuchowski losing the ball just before the line.

South Wales also went close with Dalton Grant (no relation to the former New River athlete) being held up, but when Dave McMeeken put in a huge hit to gain possession for Skolars it looked like the first half might go scoreless. However, the Scorpions scored two tries late on to give them a 10 point lead. Andrew Gay jinked through to score under the posts. Then they forced a drop out and Harri Greville pass put through Ashley Bateman.

Quick off loading by the home side saw Grant score his first try soon after the restart. Skolars then started to mount a comeback. John Paxton, in his first game for the club this season, was held up over the line, but that field position led to Dave McMeeken barging over to score, Jack Latus adding the conversion. South Wales kicked into touch from the kick-off and there was almost a repeat, with McMeeken just being denied a second as he was held up over the line.

Dylan Skee’s kick crossfield saw James Simon touchdown but the try was disallowed for an offside. The Scorpions extended their lead when a Hywel Davies break provided Grant with his second try, Jamie Murphy added what turned out to be a crucial conversion.

With 12 minutes remaining, Austen Aggrey finished off a Skee break to record his 50th try for the club. He was held up over the line with five minutes to go, but soon afterwards Carien Clement-Pascall dived through the defence to score, but had to leave the field immediately with an injury. Latus added his third conversion to leave Skolars two points behind with two minutes remaining. Skolars attacked again, but the Scorpions defence held out the onslaught to the delight of the Neath faithful.

SCORPIONS
27 James Murphy
26 Lee Williams
4 Ashley Bateman
3 Chrstian Roets
24 Dalton Grant
1 Andrew Gay
12 Loz Wildbore
16 Joe Burke
9 Steve Parry
20 Hywel Davies
10 Paul Raftery
17 Harri Greville
11 Lewis Mills

Subs (all used)
14 Tom Burnell
15 Neil Dallimore
8 Semisi Cocker
18 Chris Davies

Tries: Gay (33), Bateman (36), Grant (47,63)
Goals: Murphy 2/4

LONDON SKOLARS
30 John Paxton
31 Jack Latus
17 Dave Arnot
14 Jason Cook
5 Ade Adebisi
6 Jy-Mel Coleman
7 Dylan Skee
25 Austen Aggrey
9 Gareth Honor
16 James Simon
33 Jaroslaw Obuchowski
15 Olly Purslow
32 Sam Gee

Subs (all used)
35 Cariern Clement-Pascall
24 Dave McMeeken
24 Michael Sykes
21 Danny Burke

Tries: McMeeken (52), Aggrey (68), Clement-Pascall (77)
Goals: Latus 3/3

Penalty count: 9-8

Half-time: 10-0
Referee: Matthew Kidd

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 14-0, 14-6, 20-6, 20-12, 20-18