Skolars’ long journey to Cumbria saw them put up a determined performance at Workington, but a strong defence in the second half saw the home side gain the victory.
Early in the game, Dylan Skee’s 40-20 kick gave Skolars a good position to launch an attack. A quick pass from Alex Bate found Chris McNamara in space to open the scoring.
Carl Forber’s kick forced Skolars to concede a goal line drop out and in the next set Skolars were caught napping at a play the ball as Dave Peterson nipped over from close range.
Skee’s kicking that led to Skolars second try, with Ade Adebisi timing his run to the corner to perfection. Skee converting his second goal. Town pulled one back with a try out wide for Elliot Miller, but Forber’s conversion hit the post. That left Skolars defending a two point lead, but good breaks from Elliott Miller and Brett Carter saw Toen attack again. Peterson, who is dual registered with Hull KR, slipped a pass inside forJamie Thackray to score.
Town looked to be heading for a half-time lead, but were disappointed when the combination of the two players who spent time at their arch rivals Whiltehaven combined again. Skee’s deep kick to the corner saw Adebisi leaping to get to the ball for his second try. A missed conversion made it 16 all at half-time.
Workington’s backs started to make long runs in the second half with Elliott Miller scoring his second try. McNamara went close and Skolars had a good opportunity to comeback after Thackray was sin-binned for disputing a decision with the referee. However, the Cumbrians’ defence was good and Dave Peterson’s second try put them further ahead. Neil Thorman’s kick off forced a goal line drop out and the resulting move saw Adebisi notch up his hat-trick.
A Jarrad Stack break nearly led to another Town try, but John Paxton’s intercept stopped the move. Skolars couldn’t make inroads. Forber’s drop goal effort was adjudged to have gone over, much to the surprise of most of crowd and the frustration of the Skolars’ players. That put the home side seven points ahead and Skolars had to be content with a bonus point.
Skolars travelled back to London with Virgin Rail, and arrived back in the capital at 9.20pm, which will have helped them considerably in their recovery in advance of Good Friday’s game at Doncaster.
WORKINGTON
1 Brett Carter
2 Elliott Miller
3 Jason Mossop
4 Daniel Rooney
5 John Patrick
6 Marc Bainbridge
7 Carl Forber
8 Ryan Macdonald
9 Graeme Mattinson
10 Kris Coward
11 Brett Phillips
12 Marc Shackley
13 Dave Peterson
Subs (all used)
14 Karl Ostrum
15 Richard Farrer
16 Jarrad Stack
17 Jamie Thackray
Tries: Peterson (14,56), Miller (28, 42), Thackray (32)
Goals: Forber 3/5
Drop-goal: Forber
Sin-bin – Thackray (51) – backchat
LONDON SKOLARS
1 James Anthony
2 John Paxton
3 Joe Price
4 Chris McNamara
5 Ade Adebisi
6 Andy McLean
7 Dylan Skee
8 Rob Thomas
9 Neil Thorman
10 David Williams
11 Alex Bate
12 Brad Hopkins
13 Lamont Bryan
Subs (all used)
14 Olly Purslow
15 Austen Aggrey
16 Martyn Smith
17 Matt Thomas
Tries: McNamara (8), Adebisi (21,38,58)
Goals: Skee 2/3, Thorman 0/1
Penalty count: 6-6
Half-time: 16-16
Referee: Chris Leatherbarrow
Attendance: 439
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 6-12, 10-12, 16-12, 16-16, 20-16, 26-16, 26-20, 27-20
