Skolars hit half a ton to move off the bottom

7:41am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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THE London Skolars racked up a half century on their travels for the second time this season to move off the bottom of National League Two.

Their impressive 50-16 win at Hunslet Hawks moved the Londoners one point above their hapless hosts, who now slip to the bottom.

The victory will give Skolars much confidence going into Saturday’s tough clash with leaders Gateshead Thunder. The match kicks off at 3pm.

Paul Thorman opened up the scoring with an early penalty on Monday, but Hunslet moved into the lead with a Phil Hasty try. Austen Aggrey then made a try-saving tackle, before Skolars took control, imposing themselves on the home side.

Jamie Nowland broke through, before releasing the ball for Michael Chan to score. Then Mario DuToit was alert when Hunslet dropped the ball, kicking through and regathering to touch down.

But Skolars really took advantage when Jonny Wainhouse was sin-binned for a late tackle on Nowland.

With Puna Rasuabale and Mark Meredith regularly making good yards in attack, it was another forward who gave Skolars a commanding half-time lead.

Dave Ellison scored two tries, powering through from close range each time. He nearly scored a hat-trick, but the final move of the period saw him set up Alan Barker for a try and a 32-6 lead.

It was more of the same after the restart with an early try for prop Wayne Kerr.

The Hawks finally got one back through Richard Chapman, but another error saw Rubert Jonker take advantage, soon followed by a Corey Simms break that saw him race 70 metres to the tryline.

Hunslet grabbed one try back, Danny Cook scoring in the corner after DuToit had been sin-binned for obstruction, but it was Skolars who had the final word, as a weaving run saw Chan score his second try of the game.