There were wins for Skolars 14’s and 18’s on Saturday whilst the 16’s didn’t fair quite so well. We begin our round-up with the 14’s.
Skolars 14’s – The Skolars under 14s gained their third away win of the season, with their most comprehensive display against a St Albans side that started the day one place above the young Skolars. The team travelled, again, with a healthy squad of 20 players supplemented by their now customary fan club made up of friends and family.
The Skolars received the kick off and as early as the second tackle of the game showed they meant business. Shay Osinaike showed outstanding footwork and speed for a prop to break the line and score a 80m effort and the side didn’t look back. Despite a brief St Albans riposte to make the score 18-6 midway through the first half, the Skolars never looked like losing the game. Leading try scorer Tuoyo Egodo scored 4 tries, taking his season tally to 12 in 9 games as well as putting in some bone jarring tackles. Also making the scoreboard were Shemar Shirley and Imam Ortac, with man of the match Shay Osinaike having a hand in those tries as well as his early game effort. Half back George Bradley kicked an impressive 5 from 7 making the final score 38-14 to the Skolars.
Skolars 16’s – This weekend the under 16s were aiming to maintain their 100% away winning record against the Hemel Stags. With Stags having a full complement of Harlequins scholarship players back it promised to be a tough encounter. Skolars got off to a perfect start with superstar winger Sahid Kapaka scoring and Essex boy Jack Avery converting the extra points. Skolars were then guilty of loosing concentration as the Stags ran in a number of unanswered tries. Avery looked strong throughout but had to leave the game early on with concussion and a fractured collar bone, after being on the receiving end of a dangerous tackle.
Skolars struck just before half time through a great solo effort from new recruit Donovan Noble. Noble ran hard through 5 would be tacklers to cross just before the half time hooter. The second half was a much closer affair, with the Skolars running in two tries through Kapaka and Jack Clover. Guy Reed had an excellent day with the boot, converting 3 of Skolars 4 tries. With the Skolars short on front row forwards, special mention has to go to the big men Antony Barry and Man of the Match Ahmet Kobra for putting in a full game in the middle of the park.
The final score finished 24 48, and the Skolars will look to build on their solid defence in the London Junior League Plate Tournament this coming weekend, at Hainault Bulldogs.
Skolars 18’s – London Skolars U18 took on a well matched and strong team in Brentwood Elvers U18s.
Skolars started slowly and went behind to 2 early tries in the first 10 minutes. 10-0. After they had woken up and started getting into the game Skolars looked the stronger team. A 30 yard break and finish from Iliess Macani, with the extra 2 coming from Michael Cawthorn, put the Skolars back in the game. Then a short time later they scored again, through Cameron Furlong and Dion Chapman linking up well for Chapman to go in right side of the posts. Michael Cawthorn converted. Cameron Furlong was then repaid the favour through Dion Chapman setting him up in a similar position. Then in the last few minutes of the half Brenfwood went over in the corner from a power play on the 5th and last. This brought the score to 16-14 at half time.
In the second half it was very evenly matched, until Dion Chapman scored his second and put Skolars ahead by 6. But with Skolars not being able to complete their sets and cut out the penalties they were camped in their own half making it difficult to defend against Brentwood. Inevitably Elvers scored in the corner, missing the kick that would have brought them level. Skolars were hit and miss but managed to grind out the win with good defence.
Final score 20-18, putting London Skolars U18s 3rd in the table.
