Whilst Skolars first team enjoyed another home win on Saturday the club’s 18’s and 16’s were also in action at New River, whilst the 14’s planned home fixture against Eastern Rhinos was cancelled due to Rhinos being unable to fulfil the fixture. This resulted in a 18-0 default win for the 14’s

Graeme Spencer’s 16’s hosted Eastern Rhinos and the match took place on the first team pitch as part of Saturday’s full day of rugby league at New River.

The 16’s looked strong in the opening exchanges, with some solid defence and enterprising attack from the North London outfit.  Half back Guy Reed scored the first try through some great solo footwork to make the score 4-0 in favour of the Skolars.  The Rhinos came back strongly and scored 3 unanswered tries and Skolars looked to be on the ropes.  North London Origin player Sahid Kapaka scored on the half time hooter to keep Skolars in the game, and Reed converted.

The second half started with the same ferocity as the first, with debutant Urjan Gundogan and prop regular Antony Barry (AKA the BASH Brothers) throwing their weight around and making some well needed meters up the New River Stadium pitch.  The scoring was level in the second half, with both teams recording 3 tries.  At the final hooter the Skolars had a chance to level the scores but the ball was fumbled over the line.  The final score was 32-26 in favour of the Eastern Rhinos.  Reed and Jack Clover looked extremely impressive in the half’s, with Ben Cary really taking control in the dummy half position.  Shaun Plamer looked solid in the lock forward position and is cementing his claim as a starting player every week.

This weekend the under 16’s take a rest as representative honours take over with the North of the Thames take on the South in the Hard Rock Cafe Origin Series.  Congratulations to Sahid Kapaka, Guy Reed, Ben Cary, Theo Danko, Shimir Thomas, and Jack Clover, who will all feature for the North.

Neil Thorman’s London Skolars 18’s hosted Hainault Bulldogs 18’s. Skolars had their largest team, numbers wise, since starting  in March, with 21 players, making 8 players on the bench. It was a tough and close game albeit more of an attacking game that a defensive effort. That being said there were some great individual efforts, particularly from Ibrahim Sesay. Try scorers for the day were, Cameron Furlong, Iliess Macani, Keith Riley, Philip Alcaraz, and Michael Cawthorn converting.

Unfortunately Hainault were always one try ahead and Skolars could never quite catch them. Man Of The Match went Iliess Macani for his efforts in attack and defence.