London Skolars have again delved into the player market with great success, signing five players, who will all greatly enhance the current playing squad in a variety of positions.
Matthew Cook, who up until now was on loan from Hunslet Hawks, has been released by the club so he can join the Skolars permanently. Cook who spent the majority of his junior tutelage at Wakefield Wildcats, is primarily a centre with good footwork, but he can also play in the back three where he has made numerous appearances for Skolars this season.
The second and third of this host of signings both arrive at the club on loan deals. Lewis Reed (pictured) is a big uncompromising prop, his league career originated at the Bradford Bulls, he moved on to Keighley Cougars before residing at the Hunslet Hawks where he is currently in his third season. He, Marcus Elliott and Cook know each other well not only from their spell together at Hunslet, but Cook and Reed also spent loan spells together at Hemel Stags last season. Josh Kittrick completes the Yorkshire contingent arriving from Doncaster for an initial one month period. Aged only 21, he too did his academy apprenticeship at Wakefield, before settling at his current club. His primary position is stand off and he will be looking to combine in an exciting partnership with fellow new signing Michael Bishay in this weekend’s game.
The final duo are both returnees to London Skolars. Cariern Clement-Pascall departed the club in 2013 to join Hemel Stags, where he was an integral part of their recent play off push, creating a strong combination with his half (often head Coach Jermaine Coleman) and providing a much needed attacking outlet on the fringes of the pack from second row. He made his first appearance upon his return for the club last weekend in the defeat to Oldham and in total has made 21 appearances for Skolars. Ultimately, the club welcomes back classy centre Joe Price. Joe has made 82 appearances, scoring 24 tries over a couple of spells at the club, he was again part of one of the most successful Skolars sides in 2013, forming a lethal partnership with Ade Adibisi. He will provide great footwork, as well as a wealth of experience. All of these players except for Joe Price (Currently recuperating from a shoulder operation required after the Rugby Union season) will be available to Jermaine this Sunday at home to Keighley Cougars and are sure to intrigue and even excite the fans.
In other selection news, the club will be without any London Bronco’s players for the forthcoming game, as well as John Paxton (Knee) and Louis Robinson (Ribs), although both players are making significant strides in their recovery and hope to return soon. Head coach Jermaine Coleman had this to say on the last weekends result, as well as the events that have subsequently transpired in the build up to this,
‘We are excited to welcome back Michael Bishay, with his experience in Australia sure to have improved him, he will bring great direction and creativity. In addition to that Josh Kittrick brings a real threat at the line. Two things that we were lacking slightly in the defeat against Oldham, although there were plenty of positives and signs of progress in that game, particularly in the first half. Lewis Reed may however be the most exciting prospect, as a big, powerful, dynamic prop debuting against a former club.’
