BetFred League 1 – 23 June
London Skolars 28 North Wales Crusaders 36
Skolars lost ground on the side directly above them in the league table. Having drawn against the Crusaders in Wrexham at the start of the season, they let slip their half-time lead.
They had gone ahead early when prop Michael Greenhalgh went over from dummy half after Charlie Lawrence had gone close. He nearly scored again soon afterwards, but Crusaders scored at the other end when Jack Houghton finished off a Joe Lyons break.
Neil Thorman’s found touch from the kick-off and the next two sets of possession saw Skolars going close. First, Eddie Mbaraga was bundled into touch on the right with the line in sight, then youngster Olly Partington, on loan from Wigan, was held up over the tryline. Crusaders held out and went ahead when Houghton collected a palm back by Earl Hurst from a high kick.
Skolars went back into the lead after another Wigan loanee, Sami Kibula, pushed his way through the defence under the posts. They scored again on the next set, player coach Jermaine Coleman kicking Crossfield from the right for Lameck Juma go in at the corner.
The visitors levelled the scores after half-time, Simon Atherton stretching out to ground the ball on the tryline. Skolars gave away a series of penalties and North Wales took advantage with Alex Thompson forcing his way over the line. Just before the hourmark, Crusaders moved the ball across the line before a short inside pass found Tommy Johnson coming into the attack at speed and he shot past the defence to score.
Skolars narrowed the gap when Lamont Bryan barged over. Bryan was adjudged offside as he gathered the ball up after Skolars had dislodged the ball from Ryan Smith’s grasp. Johnson’s penalty put the visitors further ahead.
Bryan made some amends, forcing a drop-out with his chip kick, but Juma was pushed into the touch as he brought the ball back. Kenny Baker went over after Skolars conceded yet another penalty. Sami Kibula showed some good footballing skills, twice kicking on a loose ball before touching down for a late consolation try.
LONDON SKOLARS
1 Iliess Macani
5 Vinny Finigan
22 Sam Nash
4 James Worthington
2 Lameck Juma
6 Jermaine Coleman
7 Neil Thorman
8 Matt Ross
16 Charlie Lawrence
10 Michael Greenhalgh
18 Lamont Bryan
10 Eddie Mbaraga
13 Olly Partington
Subs (all used)
9 Billy Driver
20 Sami Kibula
19 Michael Sykes
17 Jordan Williams
Tries: Greenhalgh (4), Kibula (26,77), Juma (28), Bryan (69)
Goals: Thorman 4/5
NORTH WALES CRUSADERS
1 Tommy Johnson
5 Dale Bloomfield
– Earl Hurst
12 Simon Atherton
– Jake Knox
7 Ryan Smith
16 Joe Bate
9 Lee Hudson
10 Warren Thompson
9 Lee Hudson
8 Jonny Walker
11 Jack Houghton
14 James Dandy
17 Kenny Baker
Subs (all used)
19 Aaron Moore
20 Alex Thompson
25 Ryan Millington
13 Liam Hulme
Tries: Houghton (9, 18), Atherton (47), Thompson (54), Johnson (59), Baker (75)
Goals: Johnson 6/7
Penalty count: 7-11
Half-time: 16-10
Referee: Matt Rossleigh
Attendance: 375
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4, 6-10, 12-10, 16-10; 16-16, 16-22, 16-28; 22-28, 22-30, 22-36, 28-36
