BetFred League 1 – 19 June 2021
London Skolars 14 Barrow Raiders 24
After last week’s heavy defeat, Skolars would probably have wanted not to be playing the side unbeaten at the top of the table. However, in a much improved display, they were in contention for most of the game despite being down to twelve men from the 30th minute.
Skolars’ coach Jermaine Coleman named himself in the playing line-up for the first time this season and his influence was evident from the start with his kick forcing Luke Creswell to concede a goal-line drop-out Thomas. Barrow hled uot, but soon made a handling error, giving Skolars back possession, but they also spilled the ball.
A deep kick fron Thomas looked like it was running dead, but it held up just before the deadball line and Skolars forced Cresswell to conceded a second drop-out. Thomas then kicked left to try to find Coleman, but Harry Shawbrick took the ball safely. A break by Nathan Mossop was continued by Cresswell, but the full-back was dragged down by Thomas. However, with the Skolars’ defence still trying to get into position, Jake Carter eased past the defence to touchdown.
Barrow soon added a second, Carl Forster timing his pass to the supporting Cresswell to perfection.They looked to in control after Mike Greenhalgh received a red card for making contact with the head in a tackle. The subsequent penalty saw them shift the ball right for Shawcross to touchdown.
However, Skolars stayed in contention at the break when another handling error by Barrow gave them good field position, with Charles Hammond going over in the right corner.
Both sides were down to twelve men for ten minutes after Adam Walne put in a late shot on Lamont Bryan. Lameck Juma was held over the tryline, then a Neil Thorman kick forced another drop-out and it was Thorman who set up Skolars’second try, his looping kick finding Errol Carter as he timed his run to the in-goal area to score.
Another attack by Skolars saw them try to force a pass to the right, but there was no stopping Tee Ritson as he intercepted before racing 60 metres downfield. Skolars were running out of time when Lamont Bryan brushed off the defence but Thorman rushed the kick which hit the post and Barrow held out for the last few minutes.
LONDON SKOLARS
1 Iliess Macani
5 Charlies Hammond
4 Kam Pearce-Paul
3 Aaron Small
25 Errol Carter
7 Jermaine Coleman
6 Jacob Thomas
18 Matt Ross
9 Tom Firth
15 Malikhi Lloyd-Jones
19 Paulos Latu
11 Lameck Juma
13 Mike Greenhalgh
Subs (all used)
23 Neil Thorman
22 Lamont Bryan
8 Judd Greenhalgh
21 James Tyas
Tries: Hammond (40), Carter (56) Bryan (75)
Goals: Thorman 1/3
Dismisssal: M Greenhalgh (31) – contact with head in tackle
RAIDERS
1 Luke Cresswell
27 Harry Swarbrick
5 Shaun Toal
16 Tom Hopkins
2 Tee Ritson
6 Jamie Dallimore
14 Jake Carter
10 Carl Forber
9 Nathan Mossop
17 Adam Walne
31 Charlie Emslie
11 Dan Morrow
18 Bradd Crelin
Subs (all used)
7 Ryan Johnson
22 Carl McBain
25 Callum Bustin
8 Ryan Duffy
Tries: Carter (20), Creswell (26), Swarbrick (32), Ritson (69)
Goals: Dallimore 4/4
Sin-bin: Walne (49) – off-the-ball tackle
Skolars: Jacob Thomas
Raiders: Harry Swarbrick
Penalty count: 11-9
Half-time: 6-18
Referee: James Vella
Att: 391
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 0-18. 6-18; 10-18, 10-24.14-24
