By ANDREW JACKSON
Skolars made it three wins in a row, although they had to come from behind to win at Llanelli, scoring 26 unanswered
points in the second half.
They had early chances to take the lead, but Judd Greenhalgh lost possession as he tried to stretch over the line. West
Wales countered and split the defence on Skolars’ left for Aiden Coleman to open the scoring, with Fergus Simpson
missing the conversion into a strong breeze.
Worse was to follow when Skolars lost possession 10 metres from their own line, Shane Lee gratefully picking up the
loose ball to score under the posts.
Skolars’ fightback started with Christian Gale, returning from international duty with England Universities, was held up
over the line. Full-back Jarred Bassett joined the attacking line to touchdown and it took a good tackle by Keenan Dyer-
Dixon to stop him in his tracks as he tried to make a break soon afterwards. Skolars took advantage of a Raiders’ error
close to their own tryline, Doug Chirnside getting the ball out the scrum quickly, offloading to Phil Lyon to score.
However, it was a Skolars’ error close to their line that gifted West Wales the half-time lead, Rhys Davies’ try being
converted by Simpson to give the home side a 16-12 lead.
Skolars’ dominance of the second half started from the kick-off, winning possession and getting upfield before Anthony
Cox strode over the tryline with no defence near him. Lyon’s conversion put Skolars into the lead. Raiders had a good
chance to score after two rapid penalties, but Aaron Small intercepted close to his own tryline.
Small scored soon afterwards, completing a move started by Bassett down the left. Skolars were then held over the tryline
three times in a set of six. That and three run penalties in the second half started to take its toll on the Raiders’ defence
and the game was settled when Bassett raced onto a Lyon grubber kick to score his second try with just over ten minutes
remaining.
Lyon tried a chip-kick three minutes later, kicking again when he couldn’t regather, splitting the defence for Abevia
McDonald to score in the right corner. Will Ramsey rounded off the afternoon running through the middle of the defence to
score against his old club.
Skolars have a week off before their home game at New River on June 25 when they entertain Swinton Lions.
WEST WALES
1 Jamie Murphy
3 Aiden Coleman
15 Tom Morgan
4 Sam Pridgeon
18 Keenan Dyer-Dixon
17 Shane Lee
6 Callum Merrett
10 Ewan Badham
7 Fergus Simpson
8 Myles Tate
23 Ben Jackson
14 Luke Broster
13 Joe Burke
Subs (all used)
9 Daniel Wilde
21 Ieuan Badham
11 Sam Herron
20 Rhys Davies
Tries: Coleman (13), Lee (19), Davies (34)
Goals: Simpson 2/3
SKOLARS
1 Jarred Bassett
2 Abevia McDonald
3 Reece Rance
4 Aaron Small
20 Leighton Ball
6 Will Ramsey
7 Phil Lyon
8 Christian Gale
9 Doug Chirnside
10 Judd Greenhalgh
11 Luciano Bejanidze
12 Jerome Yates
13 Harry Kaufman
Subs (all used)
14 Ryan Cane
22 Anthony Cox
15 Kojo Korang
19 Kyle Armstrong
Tries: Bassett (23,69). Lyon (29), Cox (41), Small (57), McDonald (72), Ramsey (75)
Goal: Lyon 5/7
Penalty count: 4-11
Half-time: 16-12
Referee: Luke Bland
SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 10-6, 10-12, 16-12; 16-18, 16-22, 16-28, 16-32, 16-38
