Skolars pushed second place York all the way, with the visitors scoring in the last minute to take the league points.
Skolars taken an early lead when Will Lovell drew in the defence before offloading to Sam Nash to score on the right wing.
However, the Knights hit back hard. Greg Minikiin finishing off a move to the right flank that exposed the defence. Then Pat Smith opened a gap in the middle of the field for Ryan Mallinder to score. That was followed by a third try soon afterwards when Jamel Chisholm, who was on loan to Skolars last month got the ball out on the left, crossed the line in the corner before getting 20 metres closer to the posts to make Ben Dent’s conversion easier.
Midway through the first half there were fears of the 78 point defeat that opened up the season, but Skolars worked hard to hold out some determined attacks, with full-back James Anthony having to defend both high kicks and low grubbers that saw him having to bring the ball out of the in-goal area
Skolars had a good chance early on when Mike Bishay’s kick to the right corner saw Sam Nash get to the ball, but it went forward before Small could touchdown. But there was no stopping Lamont Bryan10 metres from the tryline, the kick being converted by Tommy Connick, returning from injury for his first game since April.
That narrowed the gap to 6 points, but Ben Dent’s penalty extended the lead; Skolars being penalised when the man in possession was adjudged guilty of holding down the tackler. Dave Williams’ try from close range put Skolars right back in the game. York made a half break but Nev Morison’s pass found Williams running back to intercept the ball.
The Knights what was to be a decisive lead when Brad Hey ran onto a Jordan Howden kick to score under the posts. Four minutes later the result was in doubt again when Will Martin pushed his way over the line for his first try for the club after Williams had gone close.
Billy Driver made a good scoot, but Skolars couldn’t make deep inroads into the defence and on the next set, Pat Smith coolly put the ball into the in-goal area forcing a goal-line drop out. When Skolars next had possession it was on their own line, Williams tried a high risk pass to Bryan, and Greg Minikin raced away to score with the final play of the game.
London Skolars
1 James Anthony
2 Sam Nash
3 Matt Cook
4 Joe Price
5 John Paxton
6 Tommy Connick
7 Jermaine Coleman
21 Will Martin
9 Mike Bishay
10 David Williams
11 Will Lovell
12 Kazeem Faturoti
13 Aaron Small
Subs (all used)
14 Louis Robinson
15 Billy Driver
18 Anthony Cox
17 Lamont Bryan
Tries: Nash (4), Bryan (48), Willliams (61), Martin (75)
Goals: Bishay 0/1, Connick 3/3
York City Knights
2 Ben Dent
25 Nev Morrison
26 Greg Minikin
24 Ty Craig
19 Jamel Chisholm
32 Jordan Howden
6 Jonny Presley
8 Mark Applegarth
7 Pat Smith
10 Jack Aldous
12 Ed Smith
15 Josh Tonks
13 Ryan Mallinder
Subs (all used)
14 Kriss Brining
27 Brad Hey
34 Jack Blagborough
17 Brad Nicholson
Tries: Minikin (6,80), Mallinder (13), Chisholm (17), Hay (71)
Goals: Howden 0/1, B Dent 5/5
SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-4, 4-10, 4-16, 10-16, 10-18, 16-18, 16-24, 22-24, 22-30
Penalty count: 3-8
Half-time: 4-16
Referee: Tom Crashley
Attendance: 323
