London Skolars bounced back from last week’s defeat against Hunslet Hawks, to topple Barrow Raiders 42 – 34 at New River Stadium on Saturday.
It’s the first time in the club’s history that Skolars have beaten Barrow and star new half back signing Jymel Coleman starred in a Man of the Match performance, kicking 10 from 10 goals and having a hand in most of Skolars tries scored to guide his team to a win.
Faced with the challenge of a hard running and physical Barrow forward pack, Skolars’ coach Jermaine Coleman was pleased with his team’s response.
“Our middle has had some stick after the last game and we set them a challenge to match the big boys from Barrow. Credit to them they really stood up to the challenge,’’ he said.
“The team were very aware they let themselves down the previous week, so they owed it to themselves to put out that sort of performance,’’ he said.
“We showed great character to go 12-0 down and turn that around,” said Coleman.
The club now sits seventh on the table and all eyes are on the run home for a top 8 finish.
Quizzed on his side’s chances, Coleman believes his side should be placed better.
“Very much so, I really feel that with the squad we have and the preparation we’ve had, I feel we should be pushing higher up. I’m disappointed we are only lying in 7th,’’ he said.
London Skolars travel away to play South Wales Scorpions this weekend and a win against the Scorpions could cement the Londoners a place in the top 8.
“I feel South Wales have been a little banana skin for Skolars in the last few years, so we are taking nothing for granted and we’ll be turning up showing them the most respect. Phil is doing a great job down there and they are performing better and for longer each week. I feel that we still need a couple of wins from our next 4 games to really cement our place in the top 8, so we’ve set ourselves some real targets over the next four games,’’ said Coleman.
Buoyed by the win, Coleman knows there’s still work to do.
“The boys were very happy but also very realistic. We know we are capable of performing at that level and better. So there was no getting carried away. We feel that we’ve been in every game we’ve played in and should have won some we’ve lost,’’ said Coleman.
“That’s gone now and we are very much focused on South Wales this weekend,’’ he said.
London Skolars play South Wales Scorpions 3pm on Sunday 19th June at Viriginia Park, Caerphilly.
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Next Skolars home game is Saturday 25th June 3pm Kick Off at New River Stadium. Tickets available on-line click here to buy.
