London Skolars A turned in a fine performance to beat Northampton Demons 56-12 in the final of the Harry Jepson Trophy played at Pennine Way, Hemel on Sunday. Despite a strong opening from the Northampton side, the Skolars proved just too strong, with stand off Andy McLean taking the Bev Risman Medal for his man of the match performance.

The Demons started brightly forcing an early goal line drop out but they were unable to turn this early pressure into points and the momentum shifted when their half back Ben Young was hit by a heavy tackle from Austen Aggrey.

Successive knock ons then gave the London side good field position which resulted in James Roche opening the scoring with a try which Andy McLean converted. The Skolars increased their lead when Danny Burke powered up the middle following good work from Ibrahim Kabiq with McLean again adding the extras.

However, when prop Sam Blaydon was sent to the sin bin Northampton took full advantage, Mike Hulme  touching down and Ben Young converting, but when Skolars were back to full strength they stretched their lead with Ollie Bloom scoring under the posts to give McLean a simple conversion to make it 18-6 at the interval.

The Londoners turned up the heat in the second half with McLean touching down and then Dion Chapman stretching out to grab another, which McLean converted. Northampton hit back with a try from wing Michael Hulme, with Young adding the conversion but this was as close as they were to get.

Two tries in 10 minutes effectively sealed the game for the Skolars, Burke forcing his way over from close range for the first before Tom Ronayne completed a fine passing move for the second with McLean landing a conversion.

Northampton then had two players sent to the sin bin and there was no way back as the Londoners took full advantage. They ran in a further three tries through Randall Powell’s dive from dummy-half, a breakaway solo effort Austen Aggrey’s and a somewhat bizarre touchdown from Jack Clover. From the re-start the scrum half failed to catch the ball but managed to fly hack it downfield, following it up to re-gather and score. McLean converted all three to wrap up the contest.

Skolars first team coach Joe Mbu, who played in the back row, is in the running for Championship 1 Coach of the Year.

Northampton Demons: Paul Beckett, Michael Hulme, Ben Jones, Jamie Cottle, Glynn Roff, Kie Fewster, Ben Young, Grant Wond, Fred Woods, Dave Marks, Tim Stevens, Martin Wolfenden, Matt Lyle. Interchanges: Simon Gunnett, Dom Ward, Adam Seamask, Chris Webber

London Skolars A: Aaron Small, Tom Ronayne, James Fletcher, Jerry Obuchowski, Ibrahim Kabia, Andy McLean, Jack Clover, Sam Blayden, Danny Burke, Austen Aggrey, Ollie Bloom, Joe Mbu, James Roche. Interchanges: Angelo Thomas, Dion Chapman, Randall Powell,

Referee: Tom Mather