Skolars won their third game in a row in the group stages and now just need a bonus point in their final game to make of qualification to the knockout stages and also qualify for the Plate final, which will be competed for between the two group stage winners.
The final round of group games sees each side play against a team from the other pool. Skolars travel to Rochdale Hornets, whilst South Wales Scorpions their only rivals for qualification entertain Oldham.
The final hooter sounded as the 37th scrum of the game assembled and that summed up the game. Heavy rain overnight and during the game made it almost impossible for either side to keep control of the ball. Skolars’
Assistant Coach Marcus Tobin reflected afterwards that “it was almost a disadvantage to have possession in the second half. We seemed to make more yards in defence than we did in attack. It was good that we kept our defensive line under pressure. Having been involved with Skolars in the early days at this level, I know what it’s like for new sides. The All-Golds put up a stern challenge and looked well organised, that bodes well for the rest of the season”.
Smokie Junor was denied a try early on for the second successive week, just slipping a foot into touch in-goal and another chance to score was lost when James Anthony passed the ball out close to line after the tackle had been completed. However, Skolars scored soon afterwards with Dylan Skee’s pass finding Joe Price who used his power to break through the defence.
The All-Golds went close with Rich Jones being stopped five metres out and Skolars soon added a second try with Rob Thomas barging his way over the tryline. The next ten minutes saw a series of errors from both sides as the heavens opened. With the All-Golds wearing their home kit it was the Skolars who wore gold, playing in their hooped away kit. However, after half an hour both sides became indistinguishable in the mud.
The early part of second half saw All-Golds gain the ball and Matt Bradley started to race from his own half, but was pulled back after the ball was adjudged to have been knocked down. An inside pass from Dylan Skee found Louis Robinson to score his first try of the season.
As conditions worsened, it became a game where simple plays were the only ones that were going to work. Rob Thomas worked hard at prop for Skolars with Martyn Smith’s scoots often provided safe yardage. For the visitors, Sam Blaney made a couple of good runs for the visitors, the second saw the pass out just going to ground 20 metres out. Tyla Hepi also went close but lost control with the line beckoning.
As conditions worsened, neither side could make possession count and Skolars extended their lead with a late penalty for Dylan Skee.
Martyn Smith won the Man of the Match award, which is sponsored by The Mall, Wood Green Shopping City.
LONDON SKOLARS
1 James Anthony
4 John Paxton
21 Jamie O’Callaghan
3 Joe Price
2 Smokie Junor
26 Oscar Thomas
7 Dylan Skee
30 Erjon Dollapi
9 Martyn Smith
13 Scott Wheeldon
11 David Stephenson
12 Mike Worrincy
10 Dave Williams
Subs (all used)
8 Rob Thomas
23 Jack Dillon
16 Louis Robinson
17 Danny Burke
Tries: Price (12), R Thomas (29), Robinson (47)
Goals: Skee 4/4
ALL-GOLDS
14 Tawanda Chuipadza
2 James Gahan
3 Callum Mulkeen
19 Marcus Brooker
17 Pat Evans
5 Tim Bergin
7 Matt Bradley
8 Mike Stewart
13 Jordan Rice
20 Mike Venn
11 Joe McClean
12 Rich Jones
6 Tyla Hepi
Subs (all used)
21 Ollie Yeats
10 Sam Blaney
15 Marcus Brown
17 Mike Norman
Half-time: 12-0
Referee: Tom Crashley
Attendance: 251
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 20-0
