Last Sunday a large crowd at New River witnessed a competitive derby match between London Skolars and Hemel Stags in the group stages of the Northern Rail Cup. Skolars emerged as victors with a 26-4 scoreline but the visitors from Hertfordshire put in a creditable performance, having won their previous group match. With a half-time mascot race, beer festival and post match entertainment there was plenty going on to keep the crowd warm and entertained.
The result leave Skolars on top of their group with two wins under their belts, having previously won in convincing fashion at South Wales Scorpions. In James Anthony Skolars can also boast the competition’s top try scorer with four tries to date.
This Sunday, the 17th March, is another historic occasion as Skolars prepare to host another newcomer to the professional ranks of Rugby League, the University of Gloucestershire All Golds. The All Golds have started their Northern Rail Cup campaign with two home defeats at the hands of Hemel Stags and South Wales Scorpions. However, with the possibility of a place at Halifax on Final day in July at stake, Skolars coach Joe Mbu will not be taking the opposition lightly and is preparing his team for a potentially tough encounter with a team who will be striving for their first win at this level.
Mbu believes a simple approach is the best option. He says: “We were a bit flat in the first half (against Hemel), but we went back to basics in the second half and I think we dropped the ball only once.”
All Golds coach Brad Hepi believes his team’s results will pick up – as soon as they start believing in themselves.
Hepi said: “The guys are playing like they’ve got no self-belief. As soon as they start having a lot more self-confidence – because they’re all good, skillful athletes – they’ll look very good.
“It’s a mindset thing at the moment. I keep telling them the game is won and lost in your head.”
On Skolars, Hepi said: “They picked up a couple of big scalps last year and they’ve found their feet at this level.
“It’s going to be a tough battle because they’ll be a combination of Hemel and South Wales, in that they’ll have both size and speed.”
Hepi’s squad will travel without stand-off James Greene and hooker Rory Sharratt, who both picked up knocks in last week’s defeat against South Wales. However, Phil Cowburn and Callum Mulkeen are set to return to action.
There are no new major injury worries for Skolars and captain Dave Williams is recovering well from his recent injury and is close to a recall.
Skolars final group match will see them travel to play Rochdale on the 24th March before the league season finally kicks off on Good Friday at New River when Hemel Stags are the opposition, no doubt looking to exact revenge for last weekend’s defeat.
Yesterday saw the draw for the 3rd round of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup and Skolars have been drawn to play Whitehaven away on Sunday 7th April. This will involve a long journey for Joe Mbu’s team but Skolars head coach will be taking this game seriously with the potential of drawing one of the big names out of the hat in the 4th round.
Information on all Skolars forthcoming fixtures can be found at skolarsstag.wpengine.com.
