Betfred League One – 23 February 2019
West Wales Raiders 18 London Skolars 28
Skolars started their league campaign with a victory in Llanelli, though they had to work hard for a win against a much improved West Wales side that lost all their game last season.
The visitors scored in the second minute, with Sam Grant touching down after Richard Wilkinson had gone close, Neil Thorman adding the conversion. However, an error at the restart saw the Raiders with a scrum close to Skolars’ line and a penalty saw them pile the pressure on further, before Michael Connor went over from close range in the fifth minute.
Both sides went over the line in the next 20 minutes, with Robert Tuilatu being held up for West Wales after a good break by Rinaldo Palumbo, Former Skolars’ junior Dan Hindmarsh was making his senior debut for Skolars, whilst on loan from London Broncos and he was also held up over the line.
The Raiders created gaps on Skolars’ left side, but, first the final pass went into touch, them another chance saw Sam Grant intercept the ball on his ten metre line, sprinting to the other end of the field for his second try. (Sam Grant’s 2nd try selected by the RFL for “Tries of the week”). With Thorman on the bench, James Barran kicked the conversion. It took some strong defence to force Palumbo into touch just before half-time, with Skolars leading 6-12 at the break.
West Wales levelled the score early in the second half when Dalton Desmond-Walker crashed over the line. However, the Londoners regained the lead when young centre Sam Grant, on dual registration from Wigan, stretched out to ground the ball for his hat-trick.
They went further ahead five minutes later when Omari Caro finished off a break down the right wing. Mike Bishay’s pass opened up a gap for Jordan Williams to their their fifth try with eight minutes remaining, Barran kicking his third goal of the afternoon.
The Raiders gained some consolation when Palumbo scored with two minutes remaining.
Skolars take on Welsh opposition again next weekend when they take on North Wales Crusaders in the third round of the Coral Challenge Cup. Kick-off on Sunday the 10th of March at New River is at 2pm.
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WEST WALES RAIDERS
5 Liam Clark
2 David Evans
19 Brad Kislingbury
22 Morgan Jefferies
23 Rowland Kaye
6 Ashley Bateman
7 Tyler Hunt
20 Michael Connor
9 Liam Rice-Wilson
10 Sam Hewson
25 Archie Snook
3 Rinaldo Palumbo
13 Dan Maiden
Subs (all used)
14 Dalton Desmond-Walker
11 RobertTuliatu
18 Ryan Shalish
26 Alex King
Tries: Connor (5), Desmond-Walker (50), Palumbo (79)
Goals: Hunt 3/3
LONDON SKOLARS
14 Richard Wilkinson
5 Omari Caro
1 Iliess Macani
3 Sam Grant
2 Gideon Boafa
6 James Barran
7 Mike Bishay
20 Lamont Bryan
9 Neil Thorman
10 Judd Greenhalgh
11 Jordan Williams
12 Michael Greenhalgh
13 Daniel Hindmarch
Subs (all used)
17 Isaac Atmore
19 Matt Ross
16 Liam Scott
15 Xavier Rice
Tries: Grant (2, 32, 57), Caro (62), Williams (72)
Goals: Thorman 1/1, Barran 3/4
Penalty count: 6-6
Half-time: 6-12
Referee: Craig Smith
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 6-12, 12-12, 12-18, 12-22, 12-28, 18-28
